LULAC: 2020 Census No Place for Citizenship Question

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said Tuesday’s decision by a federal judge in New York is an important victory that reaffirms the rights of all individuals in the country to be counted in the 2020 Census.

“This is a clear message that there is no place for a white nationalist mentality that attempts to exclude millions of Latinos from being counted even though they live, work and pay taxes in the United States,”says Domingo Garcia, National President. “The attitude that only white is right may be fine for President Trump who says there are good people even among those in nationalist rallies who burn crosses and kill others who don’t agree with them but this hate must not be allowed in the 2020 Census and LULAC will fight to keep it out,” adds Garcia.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman’s ruling orders the administration to stop its plans to include the controversial question on forms for the upcoming 2020 Census. The added question was: "Is this person a citizen of the United States?" Households in the United States have not been asked that question since 1950. Ultimately, the issue is likely to come before the U.S. Supreme Court. “We are facing one of the most significant tests in our nation’s history to uphold the freedoms and rights guaranteed under our Constitution at a time when Latinos are the fastest growing segment of our population,” says Garcia. “The critical answer is whether we will allow our country to slide back into the dark days of discrimination, fear and relegation to second-class status for millions of Latinos or will be stand up and shout out loudly ya basta?!,” he adds.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org