CAIR Says Citizenship Question on Census Part of Trump's 'White Supremacist Agenda'
WASHINGTON, March 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said a decision to reintroduce a question about citizenship status on the 2020 census is part of the Trump administration's "white supremacist agenda."
The United States Department of Commerce, which oversees the census, said Monday that the question will be added at the request of the Justice Department to prevent violations of the Voting Rights Act. President Trump has falsely claimed that millions of illegal immigrants voted in the 2016 presidential election. The citizenship question was last included in the census questionnaire in 1950.
SEE: US to Add Citizenship Question to 2020 Census
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-to-add-citizenship-question-to-2020-census/4318791.html
In a statement, CAIR said:
"This is yet another political move by the Trump administration to implement its white supremacist agenda and to drag our nation back to the false 'white paradise' of the 1950s.
"It is inevitable given the current environment that immigrants and their extended community networks will perceive this move as targeting them and their families for government action ? including detention and deportation - thereby decreasing minority participation in the census. By discouraging minority participation, the administration clearly seeks to maintain its falling support outside of its largely monochrome base.
"The Trump administration's politicization of the census could have a long term negative impact on voting rights and on the distribution of federal funding for health care, education and community development."
CAIR said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
The Washington-based civil rights organization has also repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic and white supremacist Trump administration policies and appointments.
Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report
CAIR launched an app to share critical "know your rights" information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR's civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app
CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
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