DHF Press Release: Dolores Huerta on Census Questionnaire Printing Without Citizenship Question

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3rd, 2019

Dolores Huerta on Census Questionnaire Printing Without Citizenship Question

Bakersfield, CA – Because of the decision of the Supreme Court to return the citizenship question down to a lower court, the census questionnaire is being printed without the citizenship question until the Trump Administration provides further evidence for their justification behind the added question. As a plaintiff on the lawsuit filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) is celebrating this legal victory. The foundation believes the attempt to add a citizenship question discriminates on the basis of race as minority groups would be severely undercounted on the national survey.

An undercount in the 2020 Census will hurt communities with large populations of immigrants and minorities as many fear the citizenship question would specifically target them and their families. This would have discouraged them from participating in the decennial information gathering. In turn, many local communities would not receive proper federal dollars and resources that is contingent on the final population count.

“I want to thank MALDEF and partnering organizations like the Asian Americans Advancing Justice that advocated for a fair and complete Census count without any type of intimidation. The administration’s constant attacks on Latinos and other people of color makes people mistrust government,” states Dolores Huerta, President & Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She adds, “Cooperation is the most important element of the census so that those who reside in the communities in the most need of government resources and representation get counted.”

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About Dolores Huerta Foundation:

The Dolores Huerta Foundation is a 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to inspire and organize communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice. The foundation organizes at the grassroots level developing natural leaders by establishing Vecinos Unidos (“United Neighbors”) chapters in California’s Central Valley region including Arvin, Lamont/Weedpatch, Greenfield, California City, Lindsay, Woodlake, Sanger, and Parlier. We create leadership opportunities for community organizing, leadership development, and civic engagement. DHF’s Vecinos Unidos chapters work on policy advocacy in health and environment as well as education and youth development. Learn more about the Dolores Huerta Foundation at www.doloreshuerta.org.

Media Contact:

Camila Chavez, Executive Director

Dolores Huerta Foundation

Office: (661) 322-3033

Email: cchavez@doloreshuerta.org