A national civil rights group is accusing County Executive Steve Levy of fostering anti-immigrant sentiment in its report on the treatment of immigrants in Suffolk.

The Southern Poverty Law Center announced the results of its months-long study Wednesday. The study, entitled ?Climate of Fear: Latino Immigrants in Suffolk County,? found the situation has gotten significantly worse in recent years. The group blames politicians like Levy for stoking the flames.

The report comes on the heels of several high profile crimes in Patchogue, including the killing of an Ecuadorian immigrant and the attack of another Hispanic man. On Tuesday, police say someone broke into a Patchogue church and left anti-Hispanic notes on the altar.

Levy said in a statement Wednesday that violence against any human being can not, and will not, be tolerated in Suffolk County.