32BJ SEIU Denounces Census Bureau’s Decision to Add Citizenship Question

The following statement is attributable to Kevin Brown, Vice President and New Jersey State Director of 32BJ SEIU:

“Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ decision to add a widely criticized question about citizenship status in the 2020 U.S. Census is yet another example of Trump administration reforms, steeped in white supremacist values, that are meant to divide us and harm communities of color. Census data is used to determine congressional representation and funding allotments, so the inclusion of this question would endanger accurate political representation, funding for local schools, healthcare, and vital services that support strong families and a just society for America’s diverse communities every day. This is a clear attempt to intimidate immigrants and working class people of color while also providing a means to disenfranchise and deprive these communities of the resources they rely on. 32BJ joins our allies in community organizing, labor, legal advocacy, research and a growing chorus of others to denounce this reckless act that will damage the accuracy of Census data and put communities across the nation in jeopardy. We call on Congress to protect the fairness and integrity of the constitutionally mandated census. This dangerous question must not be allowed in the 2020 Census process.”