MALDEF Statement on Federal Court’s Full Opinion On Motion to Reconsider Census Ruling

LOS ANGELES – A federal court in Maryland today issued its opinion explaining its previously-issued response to a request by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) to reconsider whether the Trump administration conspired with others to intentionally discriminate against Latinos and non-citizens when it added a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

MALDEF Statement on Maryland Court Order in Census Lawsuit  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the statements below in response to today’s ruling by U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel granting a plaintiffs’ motion to reconsider whether the Trump administration conspired with others to intentionally discriminate against Latinos and non-citizens when it added a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

Key Dates in the Fight for a Complete Census Count

The Trump administration’s attempt to undermine the 2020 Census began in 2018 when it announced it would add a citizenship question to the decennial count. Since then, the administration has repeatedly sought to thwart the Constitution’s required count of every person. Below is a list of significant dates in two lawsuits filed by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) on behalf of groups seeking to ensure a full count, including action to guarantee the inclusion of undocumented immigrants for purposes of apportionment.

Civil Rights Groups Submit Newly Discovered Incriminating Evidence to Court and Ask Court to Reconsider Ruling that Citizenship Question was Not Intended to Racially Discriminate

WASHINGTON, D.C.– A federal court should reconsider whether the Trump administration sought to intentionally discriminate against Latinos and immigrants of color when it added a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, according to court documents filed today by civil rights groups.

MALDEF TO PRESENT ORAL ARGUMENT SEEKING TO DISMISS ALABAMA SUIT TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS FROM CENSUS COUNT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument on Friday in favor of dismissing a federal lawsuit filed by the State of Alabama.  The suit seeks to require the Census Bureau to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census data used for reapportionment.  MALDEF will argue in favor of a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis that Alabama lacks standing to sue the Department of Commerce for the remedy it seeks.

MALDEF Statement on Federal Court Ruling Striking Down the Addition of a Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census

LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), issued the following statement in response to today’s federal court ruling vacating the Trump administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census and concluding that the addition of the question violates the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).