FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Center for Civic Policy Applauds Ruling to Remove the Citizenship Question from the 2020 Census
New Mexico’s Families and Children Deserve an Accurate Count
Albuquerque, N.M.– Yesterday, a federal judge ruled against the Trump Administration plans to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.
Oriana Sandoval, CEO for the Center for Civic Policy (CCP), said,
“Community advocates and leaders have been working hard to ensure an accurate Census count in New Mexico, ensuring every New Mexican family receives their fair share of representation and federal funding for vital public services for the next 10 years.
“Today’s ruling indicates that the Trump administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census was unlawful and an egregious attempt to reduce participation by immigrants and people of color in NM –putting $7.3 billion in federal aid at stake to maintain essential programs for our families’ wellbeing like: Section 8, Transportation, CHIP, SNAP, Early Ed and many others.
“The NM legislature must now step in to ensure there is an accurate count of NM’s families and children by continuing preparations for the 2020 Census. Meanwhile the Trump administration must accept this ruling and allow the 2020 Census to be implemented without the citizenship question.”
For a more in-depth analysis of NM’s risk of an undercount during the 2020 Census and how the NM Legislature plays an important role in ensuring New Mexicans receive their fair share of federal funding click here.
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