Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Citizenship Question & 2020 Census

WASHINGTON— Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision on U.S. Department of Commerce v. New York to temporarily block the Department of Commerce from adding a Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census:

"I applaud the Supreme Court for standing with the American people today instead of bending to the will of the Trump Administration and Republican operatives. This decision, while complicated, is so important because it temporarily blocks the citizenship question, which we know the Administration created to intentionally intimidate Latinos from being counted, lock-in a Republican majority, and steal billions in federal funds from our communities. Although this fight is not over, justice and power remains with the people because of this ruling.

"This is in our hands now – community organizers and everyday Americans must step up. We know what's at stake and we must not let President Trump or his Administration silence our voices in our democracy. To all the Latinos and immigrants: do not be intimidated into living in fear. Census data is covered by the strictest confidentiality protections in federal law. We must work from the grassroots to the highest levels of government to maintain the integrity of our democracy and ensure that all who call this country their home are counted."

# # #

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.