Statement on Trump Administration’s Memorandum on Undocumented Residents and the 2020 Census

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The statement below is by Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez regarding the Trump administration’s memorandum on undocumented residents and the 2020 Census.

“This memorandum is designed solely for political purposes and to undermine confidence in the 2020 Census among hard to count populations. With just 45.4 percent participation in the census thus far in Camden City, we cannot afford to have the administration casting further doubt upon the safety and security of the enumeration process, or upon the importance of counting every person, whether they are a United States citizen or not.

The data derived from the census is used to determine the allocation of billions of dollars in federal funding for hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other critical resources.  With the COVID-19 crisis impacting the ability of states and local governments to collect revenue, this funding will be even more important in the coming years to keep our community safe. In order to ensure that we receive the amount of funding that we need for the size of our population, we need to count everyone.

The 2020 Census does not include a question about U.S. citizenship, and the Census Bureau cannot release any information which would identify you, your home, or your business to law enforcement. Your answers to the census cannot be used against you in court or by a government agency.

We need everyone to complete the 2020 Census to ensure that our community receives the support and representation that it is owed. We cannot allow this administration’s repeated attempts to undermine this process to jeopardize the resources our community needs.”