Legal Victory Seeks to Ensure Census 2020 Counts Everyone

A federal judge granted an immediate restraining order Saturday September 5 that blocks the administration’s attempts to roll back critical door-knocking and other efforts central to the collection of America’s decennial census data.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and other groups asked for the order as part of a lawsuit filed against Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross and Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham.

A last-minute move by the Trump administration is attempting to shut down 2020 census operations. The lawsuit said this would likely lead to a massive undercount of millions of people in the United States – many of them African Americans, immigrants and other people of color.  

“Ensuring a complete and accurate 2020 Census is one of the most important civil rights issues of the day," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

"This temporary restraining order issued by the court requires that the Trump administration carry forward critical door-knocking efforts needed to reach hard-to-count communities.

"We will continue to hold this administration accountable in its repeated attempts to omit people of color, immigrants and other vulnerable populations from the 2020 Census.”  

The ruling renews the focus for all people to participate in the Census now. If you need help to be counted you are encouraged to call the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Census Hotline (888) COUNT-20 (888-268-6820).

Residents can also complete the census online today.  

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes.