Dean Johnson Comments for Media on Racial Profiling in Immigration Enforcement

Dean Kevin R. Johnson commented on racial profiling in immigration enforcement for a news report in The Life of the Law. In the U.S. Supreme Court case USA v. Brignoni-Ponce, the Court decided that the Border Patrol may use "Mexican appearance" in determining whether to detain and question individuals about their immigration status, Dean Johnson said, providing agents with a great deal of leeway.

"Basically it gives [the agents] a green light to consider whatever they want to consider in making an immigration stop," said Dean Johnson. "The Court, by not creating any bright line rules, and by giving great discretion to the Border Patrol officers, has made it increasingly difficult to really make sure and eliminate racial bias from entering into immigration stops."

Kevin R. Johnson is Dean and Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o studies at UC Davis School of Law. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of immigration law and policy, refugee law, and civil rights.

The Life of the Law

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