Latino Caucus Celebrates Census Question Decision
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2019
Today, United States District Judge Jesse Furman stood with all Americans by declaring that the Trump administration would not be allowed to inject their racist agenda into the 2020 Census:
“Secretary Ross’s decision to add a citizenship question was ‘arbitrary and capricious’ on its own terms: He failed to consider several important aspects of the problem; alternately ignored, cherry-picked, or badly misconstrued the evidence in the record before him; acted irrationally both in light of that evidence and his own stated decisional criteria; and failed to justify significant departures from past policies and practices ― a veritable smorgasbord of classic, clear-cut APA violations,” said Judge Furman in his decision.
“This decision is a big win for Chicagoans regardless of their background,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas, Chairman of the Latino Caucus. “This was nothing more than a political move by President Trump intended to strip resources from urban hubs like Chicago.”
“Frankly, my community has seen first hand how much it can hurt when the President of the United States wants you to go away,” said Alderman Joe Moreno of the 1st Ward. “The fact that his Administration would be so openly and honestly against us.”
“Judge Furman stood with all Americans today,” said Alderman George Cardenas of the 12th Ward. “While I am disgusted by the President, I am proud that we live in a country where a Judge can stand up to the President.”
The Census is used to determine how many congressional seats are allotted to each state and how nearly $700 billion in federal funds are spent. Experts from across the political spectrum agreed that adding a citizenship question would have limited responses from the Latino Community.
“Judge Furman made the correct decision today,” said Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward. “He determined that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross broke the law. All Americans should be appalled that the federal government is intentionally breaking the law to push their personal, racist agenda.”
The City Council’s Latino Caucus includes 12 members from across the city. They represent wards as diverse as Chicago itself. In addition to Chairman Villegas, the Caucus includes Ald. Joe Moreno (1), Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10), Ald. George Cardenas (12), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15), Ald. Ricardo Muñoz (22), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23), Ald. Daniel Solis (25), Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Milly Santiago (31) and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35). Chicago’s Clerk Anna Valencia is an ex-officio member of the Latino Caucus.
