Many on social media have been pointing to a federal guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that identifies the phrase "Go back to where you came from" as language that could violate anti-discrimination laws in the wake of recent attacks by President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump vows 'No more money for RINOS,' instead encouraging donations to his PAC Federal judge rules 'QAnon shaman' too dangerous to be released from jail Pelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career MORE targeting four lawmakers of color.
On its website, the federal agency, which enforces the government's employment discrimination laws, states that “ethnic slurs and other verbal or physical conduct because of nationality are illegal if they are severe or pervasive and create an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment, interfere with work performance, or negatively affect job opportunities.”
"Examples of potentially unlawful conduct include insults, taunting, or ethnic epithets, such as making fun of a person's foreign accent or comments like, 'Go back to where you came from,' whether made by supervisors or by co-workers,” it adds.
The phrase is similar to one Trump has drawn harsh criticism for making in a tweet over the weekend, in which he told four minority congresswomen – Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse Democrats push to create public reminder of Jan. 6 riot Team Biden offers alternative reality on border crisis with no plan to fix it Progressives' majority delusions politically costly MORE (N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibHouse Democrats push to create public reminder of Jan. 6 riot Sinema pushes back on criticism of her vote against minimum wage Progressives push White House to overturn wage ruling MORE (Mich.), Ayanna Pressley
Ayanna PressleyHouse Democrats push to create public reminder of Jan. 6 riot Pressley says image of Black custodial staff cleaning up Capitol after Jan. 6 riot 'haunts' her DeJoy apologizes for mail delays while defending Postal Service changes MORE (Mass.) and Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar Omar: 'Disappointing' that we're 'sending money to less people than the Trump administration' House approves George Floyd Justice in Policing Act House Democrats' ambitious agenda set to run into Senate blockade MORE (Minn.) — to “go back” to their home countries.
Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley were born in the U.S. Omar is a naturalized citizen.
In the wake of his comments, a number of Twitter users, including George ConwayGeorge ConwayLincoln Project forming 'transition advisory committee' amid calls to close The Hill's Morning Report - Democrats ready mammoth relief bill for 10-day sprint Lincoln Project faces calls to shut down MORE, the husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwayGeorge Conway calls for thorough Lincoln Project probe: 'The lying has to stop' Claudia Conway advances on 'American Idol,' parents Kellyanne, George appear The swift death of the media darlings known as the Lincoln Project MORE, have been surfacing the federal guidance.
Turns out that the EEOC has an online pamphlet that’s directly on point:https://t.co/nr7sSvLhZz https://t.co/LC6AVTG6zT pic.twitter.com/VbqwGTfnPZ
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) July 17, 2019
The federal government body that polices racial discrimination at work, uses "Go back to where you came from" as literally textbook example of potentially unlawful bigoted harassment. https://t.co/X4odzVu7mD
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) July 16, 2019
The federal EEOC or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is pretty clear on what is considered workplace harassment. https://t.co/vvFHnIBIJW
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) July 17, 2019
The EEOC cites “go back to where you came from” as a classic form of discrimination that violates civil rights. The President’s bigoted words are so contrary to who we are as a country that we literally have laws against them. pic.twitter.com/FcD1TcKcKE
— Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineDemocrats near pressure point on nixing filibuster Overnight Defense: White House open to reforming war powers | Army base might house migrant children | Fauci scolds military on vaccine White House open to reforming war powers amid bipartisan push MORE (@timkaine) July 16, 2019
FYI - EEOC website outlines immigrants' employment rights & includes the point that the "Go back where you came from" trope is "potentially unlawful conduct" if uttered by supervisors or co-workers. Just in case people are wondering if it’s “racist” https://t.co/QSzpwQ5akG
— Sunny HostinSunny HostinGoya CEO calls Trump 'legitimate president,' triggering new calls for boycott Van Jones felt 'ambushed' by 'The View' hosts: report 'The View's' Sunny Hostin reveals in-laws' deaths: 'COVID is very, very serious' MORE (@sunny) July 16, 2019
... from the @useeoc website.https://t.co/fWsyYLRx1A
— fake nick ramsey (@nick_ramsey) July 16, 2019
ht @politicalwire pic.twitter.com/Pj8lzSRDNV
Trump broke the law and would be fired from any federal job except the one he has. https://t.co/hHOqJ7nDcG
— Lawrence O'DonnellLawrence O'DonnellSen. Blumenthal calls Trump's defense an 'insult to all of our intelligence' Woodward: Trump testing how far people will go along with him Twitter users urge MSNBC's Steve Kornacki to donate his beat-up necktie to Smithsonian MORE (@Lawrence) July 16, 2019
Earlier this week, the House voted to approve a resolution condemning Trump's tweets targeting the minority congresswomen as racist. Four Republicans broke party ranks to join all Democrats in passing the measure.