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Press Release

Racism Perpetuated by Arkansas Sheriff.

Bentonville County Sheriff Keith Ferguson makes racist remarks at a local meeting.

December 7, 2007

For more information, contact:
Javier Dominguez
202-833-6130 ext.12

Washington, DC. The League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization is outraged with the racist remarks made by Sheriff Keith Ferguson in Bentonville County, Arkansas while holding a meeting in a local café. The current sheriff distastefully “joked” that a Hispanic waiter working at the café was probably working illegally and probably could not understand English because of her ethnicity.

“Racial profiling by law enforcement does a terrible disservice to the community and we are appalled that it’s coming from a sheriff,” said LULAC President Rosa Rosales. “Sheriff Ferguson’s ‘joke’ speaks loudly about his biases. We cannot allow our government institutions to be headed by xenophobic individuals who will not fulfill their jobs of ensuring the safety and respect of all individuals in their communities.”

This incident was leaked to the press by Andy Lee, former Bentonville Country Sheriff and candidate for Country Sheriff in the upcoming election. Lee along with other meeting attendees confirmed Sheriff Ferguson’s racially prejudiced remarks. Sheriff Ferguson made his racist comments after briefing the group on his role in the 287(g) program which would give authority to local law officers to enforce immigration policies.

The community cannot maintain trust in local law enforcement to prevent discrimination if negative stereotypes are stemming from the local leadership itself. Within weeks of the sheriff’s remarks, Arkansas State Senator Denny Altes also made blatantly racist remarks towards Hispanics. This further evidence confirms suspicions that racial animosity is a strong force that is driving the current immigration backlash across the nation.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.