Latino Leaders Call for Full Participation in Census – Call on Obama to Temporarily Suspend Enforcement Measures

The 2010 National Latino Congreso (NLC) added its voice to the growing chorus promoting full participation in the upcoming US Census.

“MALDEF urges everyone living in the United States to complete the Census form. The information you provide is strictly confidential and cannot be used by any government agency or private party against you. It is critically important that every Latino be counted.”,” said Thomas Saenz, new President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Approximately 1,000 leaders and activists comprising the 4th National Latino Congreso (NLC) unanimously approved a Census resolution that called for full participation, urged more federal funds for outreach to “hard to count” communities, called for a halt to anti-immigrant enforcement measures during the Census and warned of the need for a statistical adjustment in the case of an undercount. For full text of the resolution, see www.latinocongreso.org/resolutionsapproved.php?id=218

“The Latino Congreso advocates a fully inclusive Census. Every Administration since 1970 has halted raids, firings, and deportations during the Census. We urge President Obama to do the same quickly to dispel any fears that the immigrant community have in participating in the census,” said Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, President of the Hispanic Federation (HF).

“The Census is the number one civil rights issue,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “It is a responsibility of everyone in the country if you are a citizen or not. You do not obtain political empowerment by not being counted. The Census will help communities receive more than 400 billion in federal funds for hospitals, schools, senior centers and more. It is estimated that every person not counted by the Census will lose 10,000 in federal funding over ten years.”

The NLC hosted delegations from over 100 organizations and elected officials for the three day convention on politics and policy. The delegates, observers, speakers, and guests came from eleven states (Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, Mississippi, Virginia, Illinois, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC), as well as Mexico and Venezuela. Over 250 organizations, elected officials and prominent individuals endorsed the Latino Congreso, representing millions of Latino leaders and activists.

U.S. Representatives Luis Gutierrez and Silvestre Reyes, candidates for Texas Governor and Lt. Governor, and numerous state and local elected officials addressed the Latino gathering. Issue experts and resource people as well as national Latino organization presidents also addressed the various plenary and break-out sessions.

More Information Contact:
Tom Saenz, MALDEF, 213-629-2512
Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Hispanic Federation, 212-233-8955w
Lizette Jenness Olmos, LULAC, 202-365-4553

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