Justice Department’s New Anti-Profiling Guidance “Important Step Forward and We Need More” says Task Force

WASHINGTON, DC, December 9, 2014 — Yesterday, the Department of Justice announced a new policy for federal law enforcement agencies that updates guidelines on racial profiling to include sexual orientation and gender identity as well as national origin and religion among other categories.

“Attorney General Holder’s announcement represents an important step forward and we need more. For example, our nation continues to struggle with the systematic profiling and killing of unarmed Black men and youth by local and state law enforcement, yet for the most part the new guidance won’t apply to these entities. Trans women of color, who are also often subject to harassment by local law enforcement may continue to be stopped for simply walking down the street. The new guidance exempts federal government agencies, such as the FBI, TSA and CBP and allows them to continue mapping and profiling practices directed at Latinos, Muslims and other ethnic groups. This is where we need more — we need Congress to act by passing the End Racial Profiling Act with the expanded categories to address profiling practices at all levels of law enforcement.”

–Rev. Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force

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