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BLOCK THE ADDITION OF A CITIZENSHIP QUESTION TO THE 2020 CENSUS

The United States Census is an under-appreciated function of our federal government. The once-a-decade count is critical for drawing political districts; allotting congressional representatives to states; and fairly distributing federal funds for education, social services, transportation and other necessities. The Trump administration has already allocated insufficient funds to the US Census Bureau, sparking fears about inaccurate counts. Now, the Department of Justice is further threatening the 2020 Census’ validity by asking the Department of Commerce to include a question about citizenship status for the first time since 1950.

The inclusion of this citizenship question will discourage non-citizens from completing the census, leading to an undercount of immigrant populations. States with large immigrant populations could lose seats in the House of Representatives as a result. Furthermore, states could lose essential funding to provide services to their most vulnerable residents, such as people who rely on federally subsidized housing. Both blue states like California and red states like Texas are already strenuously opposing the new census question.

The Trump administration claims the citizenship question is necessary to allow for enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. However, the administration’s blatant hostility toward voters of color and immigrants reveals the census question’s true purpose: denying immigrant and communities of color a political voice. Congress and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross must block the proposed census question and ensure a complete and accurate Census 2020 count.

  • Call Mike Turner at 202-225-6465
  • Call Rob Portman at 202-224-3353
  • Call Sherrod Brown at 202-224-2315
  • Call this office:  Department of Commerce, Public Affairs  202-4824883

Script:

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [ADDRESS].

I’m calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME or DEPT of COMMERCE] to strongly oppose the addition of an untested question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census. Adding this question will skew the census count by discouraging immigrants from participating, thus blocking states from receiving sufficient federal funding.

Thank you for your time and attention.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

 

Thanks to 5Calls for today’s action.