Statement on the White House’s Unconstitutional Action on the Census
Statement on the White House’s unconstitutional action on the Census
Portland, Oregon—Disability Rights Oregon released a statement in response to President Trump directing U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to exclude undocumented children and adults living in the U.S. from population counts reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Disability Rights Oregon is provided federal funds based on Oregon's population for the purpose of investigating abuse and neglect, providing free legal representation to people with disabilities, and promoting financial independence for Social Security beneficiaries.
Statement from Jake Cornett, Executive Director of Disability Rights Oregon
“Undocumented children and adults contribute immensely to Oregon and communities across the country. The administration's actions to exclude undocumented people from reporting by the U.S. Census Bureau are expected to be challenged in Federal Courts. Disability Rights Oregon rejects the very idea that some people are worth being counted in the Census and others are not.
Every person has value and the right to equal representation in the halls of power — this is why it's vitally important that every person participate in the Census. The Administration's actions are a violation of the basic text of our Constitution. This unlawful attempt to sideline children and adults who are undocumented cannot stand. Disability Rights Oregon stands in solidarity with our family, friends, clients, and colleagues who are impacted by this unlawful action.”
The Census
The U.S. Census Bureau’s decennial population counts are used to determine what proportion of the 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will represent each state and to allocate $1.5 trillion in federal funds, including more than $19 billion for Oregon schools, hospitals, and roads.
Article I Section II and the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution make it abundantly clear that every 10 years the U.S. must conduct a population count of “the whole number of persons in each state” to determine how many seats in Congress each U.S. state will receive. Since America’s first census in 1790, the census has aimed to count every person living in the U.S. regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
About
Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. The nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more than 40 years, the organization has served as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy system.
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