New York City bans term 'illegal alien' if used to humiliate someone, ban comes with $250K fine

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

City leaders in the Big Apple have now declared the term "illegal alien" banned if it is used "with intent to demean, humiliate or harass a person," CNN and other media outlets reported.

A new measure officials released last week also bans discrimination based on how well they speak English and threats to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement "based on a discriminatory motive. If found in violation of the city's statute, a person can be fined up to $250,000, CNN reported.

It applies to all public accommodations, employment and housing, the New York City Commission on Human Rights said.

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The new rules come "as we combat the federal government's rhetoric of fear and xenophobic policies that have threatened the health and well-being of immigrant communities," Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor's Office and Immigrant Affairs, said, according to CNN.

NYC Immigration Guidance by National Content Desk on Scribd

The commission gave examples of how the rule could be applied including hotels telling housekeepers to not speak another language as to not offend guests, a landlord threatening an immigrant family that he or she would call ICE after they complained about their housing conditions or a store owner telling people to speak English or go back to their country, CNN reported.

This isn't the first time the New York City Commission on Human Rights has limited speech. In the past, the group, which is made up of political appointees, banned employers and landlords from using gender pronouns different from those preferred by an employee or tenant. Violations of that rule also carry up to a $250,000 fine, Fox News reported.

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