Policymakers rely on the American Community Survey and U.S. Census to allocate resources for government services. Both datasets fail to reflect the presence of communities of color in the United States where their representation is historically disproportionate. A controversial question in the upcoming 2020 count threatens to strip away the economic, social, political, and legal rights of people of color.
The Department of Commerce plans to gather complete and accurate information by including a citizenship question on the 2020 Census questionnaire. We fear that the collection of citizenship information will be used against families and ultimately suppress the number of responses. By removing that question, we ensure a full, fair, and accurate count. Those are the principles of the U.S. Census.
We have seen the devastating, disconcerting, and detrimental impacts of the current administration’s anti-immigrant practices and policies on our children and families. Therefore, it is imperative to urge the Secretary of Commerce to reverse the misguided decision to add a citizenship question on the next Census form.
We hope you join us in this fight to remove this untested question and speak up for those whose voices have been oppressed.