Project South Calls for End to Discriminatory Utilities Policies in Southern Cities
Project South has sent letters to sixteen localities in southern states demanding that they end local policies that unlawfully restrict access to basic utility services, including gas, water, and electricity, by requiring from customers the production of documents including a U.S.-issued photo ID and Social Security Number. Project South contends that such policies are not mandated by state laws and likely violate federal laws due to their discriminatory nature on the basis of race, color, and national origin.
The denial of utility services to applicants who cannot provide a Social Security Number and U.S.-issued photo ID overwhelmingly impacts Latino immigrants. This type of policy likely violates the Privacy Act as well as the Federal Housing Act.
“These cities are engaging in illegal conduct by cutting off access to essential utility services and effectively denying immigrants the basic necessities of life,” said Azadeh Shahshahani, Legal & Advocacy Director of Project South.
The United Nations Human Rights Council and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognize access to basic utilities as inextricably linked to the right to life and human dignity. By restricting access based on immigration status, these cities are engaging in discrimination in violation of these individuals’ international human rights.
The sixteen localities that have instituted these discriminatory policies are as follows:
- Auburn, AL
- Florence, AL
- Phenix City, AL
- Clermont, FL
- Cocoa, FL
- Green Cove Springs, FL
- Groveland, FL
- Augusta, GA
- Calhoun, GA
- Loganville, GA
- Anderson, SC
- Camden, SC
- Rock Hill, SC
- Dunlap, TN
- Fort Worth, TX
- Temple, TX
To read the letter in full, visit: https://projectsouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Florence-Utilities-Letter.pdf
