ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – July 23, 2020 – The New Mexico Native Census Coalition and its parent organization, the NAVA Education Project, stand with its partners, including the Center for Civic Policy, in denouncing President Trump’s move to single out undocumented immigrants during the 2020 Census, effectively excluding them from being counted in congressional districts when district lines are redrawn next year.
NAVAEP Executive Director Ahtza Chavez said the move harms all people of color.
“This administration’s executive order is a violation of the constitution, an attempt to continue a false, narrow narrative, and an attempt to ensure that needs and funds are directed away from communities of color. This action is another example of short-sighted policies with long-term harm. As Indigenous peoples, we recognize and value all our relatives in our communities including immigrant families – many of whom are Indigenous. Our unsheltered relatives in cities across the nation are at risk of being misidentified and no longer represented in the count. This Census count will influence policies and funding long after this administration exits. It is imperative to count everyone.”
The Center for Civic Policy (CCP), an Albuquerque-based nonprofit working to increase voter participation and turnout that works in several communities, including immigrant communities, said this order comes a year after the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to add an unconstitutional citizenship question to the Census.
“Trump’s latest action is a page of the same tired racist playbook the administration has been using as part of their white supremacist attacks against immigrant communities nationwide. This executive order has the potential of hurting the future of every New Mexican community, especially at a time when our families and children are depending on an accurate census count to receive every federal dollar possible to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This executive order is clearly nothing more than an unconstitutional political ploy to try to intimidate and erase undocumented and immigrant communities.” said Oriana Sandoval, CCP CEO.
“Since day one, the Trump administration has launched consistent attacks towards immigrant communities. Today’s executive order is just another attempt to erase our community, however immigrant communities are ready to fight back and get counted. We know that if we let xenophobic attacks keep us from getting counted, then our future generations will lack vital resources to move forward the safety and wellneing of our immigrant communities. We will not allow fear mongering to result in our communities and our children not receiving every dollar of funding they deserve,” said Felipe Rodriguez, Campaign Manager for the NM Dream Team.
Read CCP’s full release here.
