Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico reported 55 hate crime incidents in 2020, an increase from 50 reported the year before, adding urgency to an FBI campaign to get victims to come forward.

The data was included in the Hate Crime Statistics, 2020, a report released by the FBI on Monday, August 30, 2021.

“The FBI wants everyone in New Mexico and across the nation to know that we are going after hate crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said. “There is no place in our communities for hate. Anyone who was a victim or a witness to a hate-related incident is encouraged to report it to law enforcement and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

Tips can also be sent online at tips.fbi.gov.

Most of the reports in New Mexico involved a bias against race, ethnicity, or ancestry, with 35 incidents.

The report can be found at: https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime

The Albuquerque FBI Division is in the midst of a campaign to build public awareness of hate crimes and encourage reporting to law enforcement.

Local media have interviewed SAC Bujanda on the topic, special agents and staff have participated in community outreach efforts, and the division regularly posts hate crime awareness materials on social media.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes.

Hate crimes, defined as a traditional offense with an added element of bias, are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities.

The FBI works closely with state, local, and tribal authorities on hate crime investigations, even when federal charges are not brought.

Anyone who is a victim or a victim of any hate-related incident should immediately report it to law enforcement.

After a report is submitted, the FBI will work with its law enforcement partners and use its resources and expertise to determine if an incident meets the federal criminal standard.

The FBI works to protect all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status.

The FBI’s national news release on the 2020 hate crime report can be found at: https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2020-hate-crime-statistics