LULAC Calls for Investigation of Dallas Police
The Dallas Police may have targeted Hispanics in narcotics cases based on fake drugs. The Dallas County District Attorney, Bill Hill, announced that 59 cases had been identified involving 39 defendants that would be dismissed after a review prompted by the discovery that at least 18 cases involved alleged major cocaine seizures by the Dallas police narcotics unit over the past year, the evidence wall all, or nearly all, ground up sheetrock material. The undercover narcotics officers were placed on administrative leave on January 15 by Police Chief Terrell Bolton until a thorough investigation is completed. 24 of the cases involved a confidential informant who said he purchased large quantities of drugs, ranging from 2 to 150 pounds, from primarily Mexican citizens, a majority of which had never been in trouble with the law. LULAC National President Rick Dovalina has requested a full investigation by the Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights into the activities of the Dallas Police Department. Latest evidence points to racial profiling. All the men arrested were blue-collar Mexican immigrants who speak little or no English. The DEA has agreed to assist the Dallas police public integrity unit in investigating the wallboard cases to determine whether there was criminal misconduct by the officers.

Recession Sets Back Latinos
The PEW Hispanic Center released a report that indicates that Latinos in the United States have been hit hard by the economic recession and may put at risk the gains made in the 1990s. Second-generation Latinos have been particularly hard hit. They are experiencing high job losses, with concentrations in manufacturing and the retail trade, which accounts for roughly 40 percent of all Hispanic employment. Other hard hit sectors include the hospitality industry and transportation. The report concludes that long-term effects of the recession will likely depress employment and incomes in Hispanic communities at least through the end of 2004. For copies of the report, go to: www.pewhispanic.org/reports.jsp.

Bush Appoints Hispanic Education Comm.
President Bush has announced his intention to appoint 17 individuals to serve as members of the President's Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. The Commission was appointed after the President signed Executive Order 13230 and is charged with charting a multi-year plan to close the educational achievement gap for Latinos. The plan includes projects based on models of success to improve achievement among Hispanic students through coordinated efforts among parents, community leaders, business leaders, educators and public officials. The original Commission was established by President Bush, Sr. and continued by the Clinton Administration.

Requests for Comments on Title VI for DOJ
Linked below is a copy of the Federal Register notice regarding republication of the Department of Justice, January 16, 2001 Guidance to DOJ Recipients regarding access to recipient programs and activities for limited English proficient persons. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is republishing for additional public comment policy guidance on Title VI's prohibition against national origin discrimination as it affects limited English proficient persons. General comments, as well as those specific to the LEP access to activities of courts, corrections, and law enforcement are welcome. Please note that the comment period is only 30 days (February 19, 2002 deadline). This guidance was effective January 19, 2001. Comments must be submitted on or before February 19, 2002. DOJ will review all comments and will determine what modifications to the policy guidance, if any, are necessary. Submit written comments to Ms. Merrily Friedlander, Chief, Coordination and Review Section, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20530; Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at
202-307-0595 or contact Christine Stoneman or Sebastian Aloot at the Civil Rights Division, at 202-307-2222; TDD: 202-307-2678. For the Federal Register notice, go to: www.access.gpo.gov