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Tri-Caucus Chairs Call for the Resignation of Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham

January 16, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – and Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03) called for the resignation of U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham after a memorandum from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Inspector General revealed that Dillingham and other Trump political appointees instructed career Census Bureau employees to prioritize producing a rushed and statistically inaccurate report that would have been used to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment totals. The U.S. Census Bureau has since halted these efforts and announced earlier today that they will not report any population counts or estimates from the 2020 Census prior to January 20, 2021.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair:

“The Trump Administration's attacks on the Census have always been attacks on communities of color. The obsession with singling out undocumented immigrants for the purpose of exclusion – something that is clearly contrary to the intent of the Constitution – is just another attempt to distort the Census to shift power and resources away from diverse states like California. That is why, since the very beginning of this decennial Census, I have been proud to work with my Tri-Caucus colleagues to ensure that the 2020 Census reflects an accurate count of our country. Dr. Dillingham’s attempt to politicize the results of the 2020 Census in the waning days of the Trump administration is appalling, and he must resign immediately. We cannot risk having a Census Bureau Director in the coming months who is willing to undermine the accuracy and integrity of the Census for political purposes.”

Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair:

“The Trump Administration’s failed attempts to change the Census would have harmed Hispanic families and were no more than a politically-motivated attack on immigrant communities. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham has proven he cannot conduct a count in a fair manner and is unfit to serve. I am therefore joining Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chairwoman Judy Chu and Arturo Vargas, CEO of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) in calling for Dillingham’s immediate resignation. Should he remain in the position after January 20th, President Biden should move forward in removing Dillingham and appointing someone who is committed to upholding the Constitution and giving an accurate count of all persons in the United States.”

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Congressional Black Caucus Chair:

“I call for Director Dillingham's immediate resignation. It is clear that, like a long line of Trump appointees, he is not up to the task. Throughout its history, the Census Bureau has been a professional, non-partisan, well-run statistical agency, with the critical responsibility of ensuring a proper census count. The outgoing Administration has repeatedly sought to interfere in a proper counting by insisting on the exclusion of certain groups, including undocumented immigrants from the census count. It is no secret that these exclusions have a disproportionate effect on communities of color. These partisan, politically motivated attacks on our democracy are just part of a larger pattern of disdain for the American people demonstrated by this painfully corrupt Trump Administration.” 

Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03):

“In using the Census Bureau to carry out a political agenda, Dr. Steven Dillingham has made it clear that he cannot be trusted to lead the agency in producing accurate, fair, and quality data needed to inform the 2020 Census. With communities across the country already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s never been more important to have an accurate Census count free from political interference. We need a leader at the Census Bureau who will uphold the Constitution and protect the integrity of our nation’s Census.”

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.