Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties May 19, 2021 Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month    Dear Stakeholders: This month as we celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, we also reflect on the urgent need to speak out against targeted hate and acts of violence.  We have collectively felt the fear and sadness brought on by waves of hate crimes and discrimination against AANHPI individuals.  Yet through these trying times, we see the strength and perseverance of the community in standing up for fairness and equality in all aspects of our society.  On behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, I reaffirm the Department's commitment to combat all forms of racism, misogyny, hatred, discrimination, and harassment.  The Department condemns the recent attacks against members of the AANHPI community, and denounces dangerous racial slurs and denigrating stereotypes that provoke and stoke acts of hatred.  Immediately following the heinous shootings in Atlanta, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which I lead, activated the Incident Community Coordination Team (ICCT) national call to provide information from federal officials on the government's response and to hear critical feedback from AANHPI stakeholders across the country.  This ICCT call was our largest to date, with nearly 800 participants.  Following the ICCT call, our team also hosted a virtual townhall with DHS Secretary Mayorkas and leaders of nearly 30 national Asian American advocacy organizations, that enabled us to continue valuable dialogue on domestic terrorism prevention and other community concerns.  We will continue engaging with the AANHPI community around the country in order to maintain an ongoing feedback loop to strengthen the Department's policies, programs and operations. Secretary Mayorkas recently announced the new DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) to improve the Department's ability to combat terrorism and targeted violence, consistent with privacy protection, civil rights and civil liberties, and other applicable laws.  Additionally, a new domestic terrorism branch has been established within the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis to ensure the Department develops the expertise necessary to produce sound, timely intelligence needed to combat threats posed by domestic terrorism and targeted violence.  DHS remains committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we strive to maintain a high level of professional conduct where every individual is treated with mutual respect and fairness.  Further, CRCL is leading the Department's efforts to support the Biden-Harris Administration's priorities for racial equity in government, which includes implementing President Biden's Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, as well as the Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. While we are making strides to break down barriers to equality, we still have much to do.  We value your partnership in keeping AANHPI individuals and all communities safe and secure, and we look forward to continued engagement with you in the near future. As always, if you ever have questions or concerns for CRCL, you can reach out to us at CommunityEngagement@hq.dhs.gov.  Please also visit our website for a list of federal trainings and resources for communities: Community Outreach and Training | Homeland Security (dhs.gov). Sincerely, Kathy Katherine Culliton-González Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties U.S. Department of Homeland Security With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.   Department of Homeland Security www.dhs.gov  |  info@dhs.gov *Manage subscription  |  *Unsubscribe  |  Help CRCL Phone:  202-401-1474 • Toll-Free: 866-644-8360  TTY: 202-401-0470 • Toll-Free TTY: 866-644-8361 CRCLOutreach@hq.dhs.gov

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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security · www.dhs.gov · 202-282-8000

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