The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN) issued a strong protest against the ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which authorizes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out raids based on appearance, language, or type of employment.
The decision, approved by a 6-3 majority, eliminates restrictions that previously prohibited such practices, which, according to the organization, opens the door to a scenario of institutionalized discrimination against the Latino community.
In an official statement, AMEXCAN described the measure as “a setback in terms of human rights and equity,” warning that its implications go beyond immigration and represent a risk to the social fabric and trust in institutions.
“The decision legitimizes mass and indiscriminate raids that mainly affect Latino workers in cities such as Los Angeles and North Carolina, people engaged in everyday, low-wage jobs who sustain entire sectors of the economy,” the association stated.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissenting opinion, highlighted the risks of this ruling, stressing that now “the Government can detain anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and is doing a low-paying job.” She also warned that this decision erodes basic constitutional guarantees, such as protection against arbitrary detention and the standard of reasonable doubt.
AMEXCAN expressed concern about the social impacts the measure will bring, especially in communities like North Carolina, where thousands of migrant families contribute daily to agriculture, construction, and other key sectors. “This judicial ruling normalizes discriminatory treatment and erodes minorities’ trust in institutions, fueling social division and fear,” the organization noted.
In its statement, the association underscored its outright rejection of the Supreme Court’s decision, which it described as regressive and unjust, condemning the structural racism underlying the measure as an attack on the dignity and freedom of people based on their appearance or language.
It also called on the U.S. government to rethink its immigration and judicial policies, arguing that this ruling endorses actions that are “discriminatory and deeply divisive.” Furthermore, AMEXCAN urged the international community and human rights advocates to stand in solidarity with affected Latino communities, in defense of justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.
The organization reminded the public that it has worked for decades in North Carolina to strengthen inclusion and respect for migrant communities, and that this decision represents an additional challenge to that mission.
“Now more than ever, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of inclusion, respect, and justice. This position reflects our solidarity with the most vulnerable communities and our determination to contribute to public dialogue from a perspective rooted in the defense of human rights,” AMEXCAN concluded.
The association also reported that it will continue promoting information campaigns, legal assistance, and community defense in the region, while maintaining contact with national and international allies to highlight the risks of this ruling and advance protective measures for migrants.
Related: Sheinbaum Guarantees Funds to Support Mexican Migrants in the U.S.
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
