Raquel Eve Oluyemo

Guest Columnist

Raquel Eve Oluyemo, an attorney at Bone McAllester Norton PLLC with a wide range of experience in civil litigation and employment law, advises individuals and corporations concerning immigration and nationality law.

Completing the 2020 census is more important than ever.

I grew up in a multigenerational African American household. That means, if I came home after curfew, I could be chastised by both my mom and grandparents! It also means that I got to hear a number of stories about “the way things were.”

Biennially, we joined relatives spread across the East Coast for a family reunion to celebrate our history and heritage. Hearing the stories of my ancestors motivated me to value my civil rights. During any election season, I can hear a ringing in my ears – “Your ancestors bled and died for you to vote. Your voice matters.” Rain, shine or tornado aftermath, I make it to the polls.

American residents, regardless of age or immigration status, should feel that same sense of urgency when it comes to the census. The census is a count of the total population of the United States. As provided for in the Constitution, it is taken every 10 years and conducted by the nonpartisan U.S. Census Bureau.

Fill out the Census: Click on this link

Accurate count determines federal funds and representation in Congress

There are currently 435 congressional House seats. The outcome of the 2020 census determines how those seats are allocated for the next 10 years. The census results also determine how many Electoral College votes each state receives in presidential elections beginning in 2024 and how approximately $900 billion per year in federal funds are allocated.

Federal funds provide for public benefits like better sidewalks, roads, schools, hospitals, health care and more. It’s no exaggeration to say that census results touch every aspect of our lives.

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To appreciate the value of every voice in the 2020 census, we must examine historical practices. According to the Census Bureau, the first census in the United States took place Aug. 2, 1790. For nearly 100 years thereafter, the census counted enslaved persons as only three-fifths of a person and excluded Native Americans.

This failure to properly account for the population in certain areas resulted in limited resources and underrepresentation for people of color and minority groups.

Today, the census is much more inclusive. Everyone who lives in the U.S. is counted, regardless of their race or immigration status. The 2020 census has added seven new languages, which brings the total number of optional census languages to 13. For immigrants, Tennesseans and citizens across the country, the census has the potential to be a great equalizer.

More:Tennessee Voices, Episode 3: Ginny Welsch, elected official advocating for an accurate census count

Everyone must be counted and there is no citizenship question

The Supreme Court has reviewed several questions related to the census and, in the past five years, made critical decisions to ensure fairness and equal representation in Congress. In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law that everyone, no matter their ability to vote, may be counted for the apportionment of congressional seats – a crucial win for our country and its most vulnerable populations.

In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that there should not be a citizenship question included in the 2020 census. Census Bureau research has demonstrated that such a question would deter people in households with immigrants from completing the census – a description that applies to households all over our city and our country.

Failure to complete the census because of fear of targeted immigration enforcement, however, has a devastating consequence: significant underrepresentation for vulnerable populations. It is essential for all people to know that federal law prevents the U.S. Census Bureau from sharing information collected with law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and ICE.

Every person in the U.S., especially minorities and immigrants, should complete the 2020 census. When the outcomes are so significant, no one should be afraid to ensure their voice is represented.

Raquel Eve Oluyemo, an attorney at Bone McAllester Norton PLLC with a wide range of experience in civil litigation and employment law, advises individuals and corporations concerning immigration and nationality law. She has defended and advanced immigrant rights for individuals from over 60 countries.