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NALEO Educational Fund Responds to Census Bureau Suspending Field Operations

CONTACT:
Kevin Perez-Allen, kperezallen@naleo.org
(714) 499-4481

Marcus Silva, msilva@naleo.org
(510) 456-5444

NALEO Educational Fund Responds to
Census Bureau Suspending Field OperationsAdhering to public health guidelines and achieving an accurate census are both possible

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund today released a statement from CEO Arturo Vargas on the Census Bureau’s decision to suspend its field operations amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation:

“NALEO Educational Fund supports the Census Bureau’s decision to suspend field operations for two weeks so that it can comply with public health directives.  We know the Bureau remains dedicated to conducting a full and accurate count of all residents, and we continue to support its efforts to fulfill that mission.

“The census is the foundation of our democracy – and the Bureau is tasked with the profound responsibility of protecting and successfully executing the process with which our country maintains that strength.“While there have been many calls from organizations and leaders for the Census Bureau to alter certain operations through delay or postponement, it is clear that the Bureau is closely monitoring the situation.  While it may be necessary for the Bureau to make future operational and timing changes like extending the self-response and nonresponse follow up phases, we must ensure that the public receives accurate and consistent information about the current status of the census.

“As the Census Bureau adapts to the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19, a large network of organizations and stakeholders, including NALEO Educational Fund, are doing our part to support the Bureau’s efforts to ensure a successful census.  Right now, the easiest way to make sure residents are counted is through self-response online, by phone, or by mail.  Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic are precisely why our government needs accurate census data.  We must all do our part by making sure we self-respond and encourage others in our networks to do so as well.”

Residents can self-respond to the census online at https://my2020census.gov/ or over the phone in English by dialing 844-330-2020 or in Spanish at 844-468-2020.Individuals with questions about the census can call NALEO Educational Fund’s toll-free national census bilingual hotline at 877-EL-CENSO (877-352-3676) – Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. ET to get additional information.

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About NALEO Educational Fund
NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-profit, non-partisan organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

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