While many Mexicans envision a better life in the United States, a small number of these immigrants are the victims of unfortunate criminal activity as a result of their ethnicity. Individuals looking to relocate their careers and families to locations in Texas or other border states may want to take into account a recent report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before consulting an immigration law firm about the best paths to citizenship or a visa.

According to recent statistics, the FBI indicates that the number of hate crimes in America rose to 6,628 in 2010. Of these crimes, roughly 50 percent were motivated by race while another quarter were the result of the victim's religious beliefs. The report, which was released on November 14, follows similar studies that suggest the climate for immigrants, particularly in the Southwest, may be worsening.

In August, the California attorney general's office released reports that indicated hate crimes against Latinos rose from 81 to 119 from 2009 to 2010. Immigration experts suggest that the controversies over recent laws passed by politicians in the border states may have contributed to these increased figures, while others say that the studies may not paint the most accurate picture.

"To say [hate crimes statistics] are imperfect would be the understatement of the year," Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said in response to the release in August. "There have been a number of studies that suggest that the real number of hate crimes is vastly higher than the reported number."

Immigrants who are the victim of a hate crime in Texas should turn to a trusted immigration lawyer in San Antonio or Houston who can advise them in their native language about the best legal recourse to these actions. By taking this step, these individuals can ensure they are able to get the justice they deserve without losing any important details in translation.