Harris Could Spend $100 Million Annually on Discriminatory, Unproven DHS ‘Countering Violent Extremism’ Program

WASHINGTON, DC — The following is a statement issued today from Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera responding to the new domestic terrorism plan released by Sen. Kamala Harris that would revive and enhance a failed, anti-Muslim program known as Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). Muslim Advocates has previously called on Mayor Pete Buttigieg to drop a similar, misguided call to revive CVE.

“Countering Violent Extremism is a failed, discriminatory program that won’t solve the problem of white nationalist violence but will lead to increased targeting and criminalizing of American Muslims and other vulnerable communities. Yet, Senator Harris not only proposed to revive this harmful, unproven program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, she suggested that she could devote an astounding $100 million or more each year to fund it.

We have already seen what happens when CVE is implemented, including when it is implemented by a Democratic administration: American Muslims become over-policed and over-criminalized. CVE programs at their core are based on junk science that suggests someone’s race or religion can determine whether they will be more likely to commit violence. Repackaging the program to focus on white nationalists won’t change the fact that this strategy is fundamentally flawed.

We understand the dire need to stop the continuing threat of white nationalist violence and we believe Sen. Harris, Mayor Buttigieg and others are proposing ideas to solve this deadly problem in good faith. However, reviving the failed DHS CVE program is not the answer. It was wrong before and it’s wrong now.”

Additional Resources:

• Muslim Advocates statement on Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s CVE plan
• Muslim Advocates op-ed: CVE Is A Flawed and Ineffective Program, And More Evaluation Won’t Fix It
• Muslim Advocates files information request on CVE programs
• Muslim Advocates seeks more information on CVE programs in Illinois and Denver

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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