The following media release was shared on Tuesday:
WASHINGTON — Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) leadership called on Dr. Steven Dillingham, Director of the United States Census Bureau, to meet with the Caucus to discuss the 2020 United States Census and decisions by the Bureau that could result in reduced participation among Hispanic communities. Further, CHC Members plan to discuss what steps the Bureau can take to ensure that the 2020 Census is best positioned to count every person living in the United States. The undercounting of Hispanic communities threatens the democratic representation of all Americans for the next decade.
The letter was led by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and signed by Hispanic Caucus leadership members Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), as well as Civil Rights and Voting Rights Task Force Chair Darren Soto (FL-09).
“The CHC has repeatedly condemned the addition of a citizenship question because we strongly believe that it will jeopardize the accuracy of the census. Naturally, we question the Bureau’s decision to move forward with field tests that include a question that has yet to be determined as constitutional by the highest court in the land. [The Supreme Court] will also consider whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ decision to add a citizenship question is arbitrary and capricious under federal law. The CHC believes that the Census Bureau should not move forward with June field tests that include the citizenship question because the Supreme Court is expected to make a final ruling on its addition the same month,” the Members wrote. “Dr. Dillingham, you pledged to lead an agency culture independent from improper influences. You are well aware of the consequences our communities would pay with another undercount, including minimized influence on national policy and less federal dollars to support our neighborhoods. We hope to meet with you to mark a fruitful partnership in ensuring that our Hispanic communities are rightfully counted, pursuant to the Constitution.”
This is the full letter below:
