Contact: Pita Juarez, pjuarez@lcv.org, 602-413-4421

Washington, D.C. — In response to President Trump’s released memorandum calling for an unprecedented change to the constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country and instructs to leave out the number of immigrants living in the U.S., LCV’s Chispa and Chispa Nevada released the following statements:

Johana Vicente, Chispa National Director, issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to intimidate and suppress ​immigrants’ right to participate in the 2020 Census — this move is unconstitutional and inhumane. Every person living in the United States has a right to be counted, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. An accurate Census count is critical for Black, Indigenous and people of color to have a voice in government and to access resources they need. Already our communities bear the brunt of racist and inequitable policies and decisions that affect their health, housing, jobs, education and environment. The Census is a tool to return power to the people. 

“The Trump Administration will not exclude us from the Census. We will continue to fight for our community’s participation at all levels of government, including the Census count, until our communities are adequately represented and their needs are prioritized.”

Chispa Nevada Program Director Rudy Zamora issued the following statement:

“Refusing to count Nevadans who are integral to our communities, contribute to our economy, and are deeply and daily affected by the decisions made by our government is not only immoral but unconstitutional. Every Nevadan, regardless of immigration status, should be counted. Our state relies on accurate counts to provide services and resources to all. We won’t stop making sure immigrant families participate in the Census. Latinxs helped build Nevada and we count.”