Justice Department appeals court order that census continue - Albuquerque Journal

Justice Department appeals court order that census continue

Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it would appeal a federal judge’s order preventing the Census Bureau and Department of Commerce from ending 2020 Census operations on Sept. 30.

The Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community, several voting rights groups, advocacy organizations, cities and counties had filed a lawsuit alleging that the agencies’ “rush plan” would lead to a “massive undercount” of communities of color.

“An undercount in any locality matters greatly,” Judge Lucy H. Koh wrote in a 78-page opinion filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. “Even a small undercount of a subset of the hard to count population would result in the loss of federal funding.”

Census Bureau data also determines congressional representation.

The opinion cites statements and emails from census officials questioning the amended deadline given the COVID-19 pandemic and an active wildfire and hurricane season.

Associate Census Director Albert Fontenot said on Sept. 17 that he “did not know whether Mother Nature would allow us to meet the September 30 date.”

Doreen N. McPaul, Navajo Nation attorney general, said Thursday’s ruling was promising.

“The Judge’s ruling in favor of Plaintiffs’ motion is a significant step forward in the fight for an accurate census to ensure hard-to-count populations, including our Navajo people, are fairly accounted for and provided the resources and representation to which they are entitled under the U.S. Constitution,” McPaul said in a statement issued before the notice of appeal.

The reservation had a 20.5% self-response rate to the census as of Friday. The national self-response rate was 66.3%.

The Census Bureau suspended field operations in April because of the pandemic and extended the data collection deadline from July 31 to Oct. 31, 2020.

But on Aug. 3, the bureau moved up the deadline to Sept. 30.

Under Koh’s ruling, the census data collection deadline would remain Oct. 31.

“As the first people of this country, we have every right to be counted in the 2020 Census,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement. “The coronavirus pandemic has set all of us back and created many challenges to get people counted, especially for rural areas such as the Navajo Nation.”

The reservation’s limited internet and phone access make census operations difficult.

Home » News » New Mexico News » Justice Department appeals court order that census continue

Insert Question Legislature form in Legis only stories




Albuquerque Journal and its reporters are committed to telling the stories of our community.

• Do you have a question you want someone to try to answer for you? Do you have a bright spot you want to share?
   We want to hear from you. Please email yourstory@abqjournal.com

taboola desktop

ABQjournal can get you answers in all pages

 

Questions about the Legislature?
Albuquerque Journal can get you answers
Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners.
1
Two summer programs return to NM Museum of Natural ...
ABQnews Seeker
why not? The New Mexico Museum ... why not? The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is returning two of its popular programs — Mineral Mondays and Relaxed Nights. ...
2
No more 'Breaking Bad' — Rebel Donut to close ...
ABQnews Seeker
Beloved Albuquerque doughnut shop Rebel Donut ... Beloved Albuquerque doughnut shop Rebel Donut is closing its doors next week on Thursday, June 15.
3
Albuquerque Police ID three young men killed at house ...
ABQnews Seeker
Police believe that multiple guns were ... Police believe that multiple guns were fired during a weekend house party to celebrate recent graduations and a birthday. Three men were killed and ...
4
Investigation Discovery's 'Late Night Lockup' to premiere, features Albuquerque ...
ABQnews Seeker
Police officers encounter human behavior all ... Police officers encounter human behavior all the time. Yet, it's during the late night hours where things can get strange. Investigation Discovery's six-part series, ...
5
New Mexico's largest credit union Nusenda moves to expand ...
ABQnews Seeker
Once complete, the addition of Western ... Once complete, the addition of Western Heritage's branches - it has one in Las Cruces, one in Deming and four in El Paso - ...
6
The meaning of justice to victims vs. law's goal
ABQnews Seeker
On the day he was murdered, ... On the day he was murdered, Bangladeshi geology professor Taher Ahmed interrupted his visit with his adult children in Dhaka, the nation's capital and ...
7
‘Weak mayor’ proposal sets up possible 10-member City Council
ABQnews Seeker
Councilors deferred until June 21 a ... Councilors deferred until June 21 a proposal that would reshape Albuquerque's government
8
Camp in session: UNM basketball players get experience coaching ...
ABQnews Seeker
Monday, at the Pit, 75 3rd ... Monday, at the Pit, 75 3rd through 7th graders were wide eyed and excited to be learning from their favorite Lobo basketball stars.
9
Can rivalry games be saved? UNM, NMSU swap facility ...
ABQnews Seeker
Amid a rare offseason flare-up of ... Amid a rare offseason flare-up of rivalry drama, UNM and NMSU on Monday made progress toward getting their hoops rivalry going again.