New Deadline Mar. 31 – Sign-on to Suspend Immigration Enforcement for Census 2020

Dear Friends,

We are very concerned about the welfare and public health of immigrant communities with the Novel Coronavirus/Covid-19 global pandemic. This situation has caused extreme complications for just about every aspect of all of our personal and public lives, and we are regrouping to determine the most effective ways we can support our local communities.

One of the myriad impacts is on Census 2020, which is formally kicked off on April 1. We are expecting updates from the US Census Bureau in the coming days on likely adjustments to the Census timetable and procedures. However, we expect the Coronavirus crisis to further jeopardize the overall Census, likely producing a more significant undercount, threatening the inclusion of immigrant households, and undermining commitments for federal funding and political representation. 

Because of this situation, we have extended the deadline of our Census 2020 letter (for organizations), and petition (for individuals) demanding a suspension of immigration enforcement activities during the Census, to Tuesday, March 31.

There are so many issues that demand our attention at this moment; we are reminded that in such times of crisis, many in immigrant communities find themselves in even more vulnerable situations even as they share the same dangers as the general public. Unfortunately, in such times immigrants’ human rights are too often ignored or violated.  But we can all be inspired by the support and solidarity with, and resilience of immigrant communities that we are daily witnessing in these challenging times. 

We will keep our members and supporters apprised of developments and opportunities for action and advocacy in the coming days.

We hope you are all safe and healthy during this difficult time.

~ NNIRR

Join NNIRR in urging the Trump Administration to suspend enforcement activities now and throughout Census 2020. 

During the Coronavirus crisis, there is even more cause to suspend immigration enforcement so that ALL immigrants can safely access testing and medical care without fear of detention and deportation.

The Administration’s failed insistence on a “citizenship question” in this year’s Census has already sown fear and distrust in immigrant communities and threatens their participation in this crucial Census. The current situation with Coronavirus public health crisis, coupled with continued ICE activities, the deployment of troops at the border, and the Administration’s desire to close the border completely, has put immigrant families in jeopardy — further impacting participation in this crucial national count.

Take action now — Sign our letter and/or petition to the Trump Administration

• If you represent an organization, sign on to NNIRR’s letter calling for the suspension of enforcement during the Census. Extended Deadline for signatures: March 31.

• If you are an individual, please sign NNIRR’s petition. Extended Deadline: March 31.

Rally action from local officials and cities

• If you are a community leader/organizer, urge your local elected leaders to adopt a City Resolution supporting this call to suspend immigration enforcement and actively support immigrant community inclusion in the Census. This would be particularly powerful in Sanctuary Cities, the target of the recent Border Patrol deployment threat. Sanctuary Cities have made a public commitment to immigrant communities and should be encouraged to ensure a “safe space” for immigrant participation in the Census — and they are on the frontlines of ensuring immigrant community access to Covid-19 testing and medical care.

Check out the toolkit, We all Count! Grassroots Tools for Immigrant Inclusion in Census 2020, to help raise awareness about the importance of immigrant inclusion in the Census and support community organizing and resistance. The toolkit provides messaging language, actions and advocacy resources to help local communities and grassroots leaders organize for immigrant inclusion in the Census 2020.

An accurate Census is essential for democratic processes: Census data dictates Congressional representation and is used to allocate more than $800 billion in federal funds each year. An undercount in the Census could severely impact government funding for education, health care, affordable housing, employment and critical infrastructure in our communities. 

For more information, please visit our Census 2020 Resource page on our website.