June 14, 2019 – It’s still almost a year before the Census begins, but preparations for the count have begun across New Mexico. In El Cerro Mission, a sparsely developed area east of Los Lunas, many residents are Mexican immigrants. They’ve heard that the Census may ask about their citizenship—and they’re worried. Planners are reaching out to prominent community members for help, hoping to spread the message that New Mexicans have everything to gain when it comes to federal funding that relies on the census, and nothing to lose by being counted.
Guests:
Laura Robles, owner of Mana Mini Mart in El Cerro Mission
Valencia County Sheriff Denise Vigil
For Further Reading:
Census Director Stephen Dillingham: We will not use this information to deport people, New Mexico in Focus
Where a citizenship question could cause the Census to miss millions of Hispanics The Washington Post
Despite Trump administration denials, new evidence suggests census citizenship question was crafted to benefit white Republicans The Washington Post
Trump Asserts Executive Privilege on Census Documents Ahead of House Committee Contempt Vote The New York Times
Census head vows ‘independent’ count amid heated politics, Associated Press