AFT Statement on Immigration Status Question Added to 2020 Census

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in response to the news that the 2020 census would include a question on citizenship status: 

“This is a hateful and bigoted attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate immigrant communities using taxpayer money. The census helps determine where government resources are directed and how congressional representation is divided, and any attempts to undermine that process point to a racist, elitist government hell-bent on excluding certain voices from our democracy.

“A citizenship status question will have a chilling effect on census participation and will re-create the long shadows that noncitizens will once again move into. That hurts the economy and hamstrings local and state services, which sadly seems to be what this White House wants. But a nation built by immigrants should welcome the engagement of those in pursuit of the American dream, not kick the ladder out from under them.”