NAPABA Calls for Full Funding of Hate Crimes Prevention

For Immediate Release: 
Date: July 18, 2025 

Contact:
Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

NAPABA Calls for Full Funding of Hate Crimes Prevention

WASHINGTON - This week, NAPABA joined over 25 organizations led by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and urged the Committee on Appropriations of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to prioritize funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation for hate crime prevention. The current federal budget proposal contemplates the complete elimination of hate crimes prevention funding.
 
Hate crimes are on the rise in the United States, and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community is all too familiar with the escalation of hate. Congress must ensure robust funding for prevention programs so that federal, state, and local governments can effectively prevent and track hate crimes. The coalition requested that nearly $130 million be allocated to several critical programs that promote better responses to hate crimes and improve reporting and preparedness. 
 
Our work to eradicate hate must continue. NAPABA calls on Congress to join in this effort and allot appropriate funds in FY 2026.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.