Dolores Huerta Foundation Joins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration for Census Question
The Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) has joined 22 other nonprofit organizations and individuals in a lawsuit filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) against the Trump administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The lawsuit, filed on May 31, challenges the added citizenship question based on racial discrimination as minority groups could be discouraged from participating and severely undercounted on the national survey.
Every person living in the United States, whether a citizen or not, must be counted every 10 years. An undercount in the 2020 Census threatens communities with large populations of immigrants and minorities, as many fear the citizenship question specifically targets them and their families. This will discourage them from participating in the decennial information gathering.
Latino families, many of whom come from mixed-status families, already fear deportation and separation as they have been targeted by the Trump administration. The administration has eliminated the DACA program, increased deportations for undocumented immigrants with small infractions and detained newly arrived Central American asylum seekers including children.
“Since 1792, the Census has been used to count the number of people in the United States and to get basic information. The number of people counted in each community helps to determine the amount of resources those communities will receive from the federal government,” states Dolores Huerta, founder and president of the DHF.
She adds, “The Trump administration’s new questions on citizenship are meant to suppress the number of people responding, thereby depriving those communities of badly needed funding.”
The citizenship question is meant to sabotage the Census count and eliminate support for cities and states with large minority and immigrant communities. The U.S. federal government uses the Census count to decide the amount of federal dollars that will go to support local and state governments.
Camila Chavez, executive director at the DHF, comments, “The Trump administration is targeting immigrants who already live in fear of being separated, and now, the administration is using intimidation by denying economic and political representation on the Census. This is discrimination!”
A low count will also affect apportionment of Congressional districts, potentially eliminating representation for immigrants and minorities in future elections.
For an official statement from MALDEF, visit www.maldef.org/news/releases/2018_05_31_MALDEF_and_Advancing_Justice_Sue_Trump_Administration_Challenging_Addition_of_Citizenship_Question_to_2020_Census/.
DHF 14th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic
Dolores Huerta, founder and president of the DHF, and Camila Chavez, executive director, with actor, director and friend Benjamin Bratt at the DHF Golf Classic in 2014.
On Oct. 5, the DHF will host its 14th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic in honor of the late Richard E. Chavez, a DHF founding Board member. The event again will be held at the Links at Riverlakes Ranch in Bakersfield.
Online registration is now open. Registration is $150 for singles and $600 for a foursome. To sign up, visit DHFGolfClassic.org. You may also donate items for a raffle and golf prizes. Donations of sports gear and memorabilia, gift certificates and promotional items branded with your company or team logo are welcome. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, contact DHF’s golf coordinator, Adrianne Pietz, at apietz@doloreshuerta.org or 661-322-3033 ext. 601.
Support the Work of the DHF
With your support, the DHF organizes Central Valley communities to improve neighborhoods and transform lives. The DHF is equipped with a group of socially conscious, empowered staff ready to engage with community members who are passionate to create change in their community, but who need the advocacy training and tools to share their ideas and empower their neighbors to join in the movement of justice in their schools, water infrastructure and other local community development issues. Make your donation today at Give2DHF.org.
About the Dolores Huerta Foundation
The Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) is a 501(c)3 community benefit organization whose mission is to inspire and organize communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice. The DHF organizes at the grassroots level developing natural leaders by establishing Vecinos Unidos (“Neighbors United”) chapters in California’s Central Valley region including Arvin, Lamont, Weedpatch, Lindsay, Woodlake, Sanger and Parlier. We create leadership opportunities for community organizing, leadership development and civic engagement. The 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.
