If you call someone an "illegal alien" in New York City with the intent of demeaning, humiliating, or harassing a person, it could result in a quarter-million-dollar fine, according to new city guidelines aimed at banning discrimination.
The rules also ban discrimination against people who don't speak English and prohibit threats to call immigration authorities "based on discriminatory motive," reports CNN, and violating the new rules can result in fines of up to $250,000.
"We are proud to have worked with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to produce and release this important guidance as we combat the federal government's rhetoric of fear and xenophobic policies that have threatened the health and well-being of immigrant communities," said Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor's Office and Immigrant Affairs.
According to the city's Commission on Human Rights, the new guidelines are for all public accommodations, employment, and housing.
In its 29-page directive, the commission said there are several ways discrimination can be based, including if a landlord threatens to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an immigrant family complains about finding mold and cockroaches in their dwelling, or if a store owner tells customers to "speak English" while in a business.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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