(SEATTLE, WA, 1/15/19) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Washington (CAIR-WA) today applauded a federal judge’s decision to stop the Trump administration from questioning residents about their citizenship status as part of the 2020 census. Washington state and the City of Seattle are both Plaintiffs in the case.
Jan. 15, 2019 Opinion by U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman: https://apps.npr.org/documents/document.html?id=5684706-Jan-15-2019-Ruling-by-U-S-District-Judge-Jesse.
In a long and detailed opinion, the court concluded that Secretary Ross’ decision to add a citizenship question violated federal law and was “arbitrary and capricious” and that he acted “irrationally” and his stated purposes for the question were pretextually.
In a statement, CAIR-WA Executive Director, Masih Fouladi said:
“The rhetoric, behavior, and policies of this President have caused fear and mistrust of the federal government,” said Fouladi,who is a representative on Washington’s Complete Count Committee
“This climate combined with the role the census played in the incarceration of Japanese Americans and the prospect of a citizenship question has undoubtably impacted our ability to get a complete and accurate count.”
“Our region’s leaders have demonstrated a consistent opposition to the citizenship question and dedicated commitment to incorporating communities of color in a complete count,” continued Fouladi,
“CAIR-WA looks forward to working with the State of Washington, King County, and the City of Seattle as they continue to fight the citizenship questions as it, inevitably, goes through appeals.”
Roughly one in seven Washington residents is an immigrant, and one in eight U.S. born citizens live with at least one immigrant parent. In 2014, over one in four immigrants in Washington were undocumented, and over 170,000 U.S. citizens lived with an undocumented family member.
Over one in five residents in Seattle speak a language other than English at home. In 2014, approximately 150,000 undocumented immigrants lived in the Seattle metro area. A recent Seattle Times article reported that King County’s immigrant population now tops 500,000.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY CAIR-WA Executive Director, Masih Fouladi
MEDIA CONTACT CAIR-WA Communications Director, Sarah Stuteville 206-403-3931, sstuteville@cair.com
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
To report a hate incident (206) 367-4081 or cairwa.org/get-help