Today, HRC responded to a decision by the Supreme Court in Department of Commerce v. New York rejecting the Trump-Pence administration’s proposal to add a citizenship question to the 2020 U.S. Census based on an inadequate administrative explanation.
“The Trump-Pence administration’s citizenship question is dangerous, unnecessary, and motivated by politics,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “The Supreme Court’s decision recognizes widespread concern over the administration’s political motivation and stated reasoning behind the addition. Our work is not over–every person in the United States needs to ensure they are counted next year. We will continue fighting with coalition partners to ensure that data remains protected and that the Census has a count that reflects the true character of America.”
Today’s ruling demands that the U.S. Census provide more extensive reasoning and explanation behind such a divisive addition. Last month, the New York Times reported on newly discovered documents that showed how Republican operatives pushed to add a citizenship question to the Census in order to deny communities of color health care and other resources, so as to ensure the electorate is whiter and supports the GOP.
HRC has pushed back against the Trump-Pence Administration’s demonization of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers at every turn. We have endorsed and lobbied for passage of the Dream Act, which would give a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented people who were brought here as children – including tens of thousands of LGBTQ Dreamers. We have called out the horrific policies that tear families apart at the border and demanded humane treatment of LGBTQ people – and all people – in immigration detention. We have denounced the State Department’s severe cuts in refugee admissions and worked with our partners to tell the stories of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence at home. And we have joined the Muslim community in condemning Trump’s discriminatory Muslim Ban.
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