APALRC Hails D.C. Ruling on Access for limited-English Speakers

WASHINGTON–The Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) hailed a victorious language access ruling against a law enforcement agency. APALRC filed the first language access complaint against the District’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR) found MPD to be noncompliant with the D.C. Language Access Act.

The D.C. Language Access Act mandates D.C. government agencies provide the public equal access to government programs, service and information, regardless of language ability, through interpretation and translation of all vital services and documents.

"This ruling is extremely significant not only because it is one of the first of its kind in the nation, but also because it put the spotlight on MPD and D.C. government, particularly the Office of Human Rights,” Jennifer Deng-Pickett, D.C. Language Access Coalition Director. “The DC Office of Human Rights decision upheld the law and we are extremely pleased," said Myron Dean Quon, APALRC Executive Director.

            Jong Yeol Lee is a Korean-speaking, US permanent resident and a mechanic in the District. Last year, he was arrested at his home in Virginia. Law enforcement agents never informed Lee why he was being arrested, even though he asked for an explanation in Korean. He asked for a Korean-speaking interpreter several times, but was never provided one.

Lee was booked and placed in a detention center cell where he remained for about four days, never being advised of any of due process rights, including his right to counsel.  He was later transferred to MPD here. Lee asked for a Korean-speaking interpreter again, but was never provided one. After several hours, the MPD discovered Lee's arrest was a mistake.  The MPD provided him with a document that said "Released Without Charge," which was not translated into Korean, thus he did not understand this document.  After a few hours, he was finally able to go home.  

            Recalled Lee: "The police came to my house at three o'clock in the morning and arrested me in front of my son. I had no idea what was going on. While I was detained for four days, I worried about my family and how we would make a living."    

            APALRC Staff Attorney Nadia Firozvi, who filed the complaint on Lee’s behalf, said, "Denial of language access prevents individuals from accessing services they are entitled to. In this instance, noncompliance with the Language Access Act led to not only inaccessibility of services, but also a prolonged and unnecessary deprivation of liberty for Mr. Lee."