On the same day the U.S. Census Bureau said they are creating a "COVID-19 Internal Task Force" to "monitor and evaluate the situation," 12 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are calling for the 2020 Census to be extended.
Under current plans:
While census officials say they believe they can still move forward effectively, the letter dated today asks for a three-month extension. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reported it today via Twitter:
NEW: @RepAOC (D-N.Y.), @RepEspaillat (D-N.Y.) & 10 other Congressional @HispanicCaucus members urge @uscensusbureau Director Steven Dillingham to extend #2020Census counting, currently set to end on July 31, to October 31 because of coronavirus👇 https://t.co/nGktLrPNW6 pic.twitter.com/uZm3KoW27v
— Hansi Lo Wang (@hansilowang) March 14, 2020
Homes across the U.S. began receiving mailers inviting them to participate this week.
The timing has been challenging. Yesterday, Caroline Champlin, who is covering the census for us, reported that community groups hoping to make sure historically undercounted populations participate had decided to suspend in-person canvassing.
Alejandra Zarate of We Count LA, told us:
“We are having to adjust our entire campaign. While the census is important, everybody’s health and safety is the utmost priority. ”
The letter sent by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus members (including Californians Gil Cisneros and Jim Costa) says a delay is necessary to:
"Protect both American citizens and the integrity of the Census. The public health emergency impacting all areas of this country threatens the ability of the Census Bureau to safely and fully conduct the decennial census."
Read the full letter sent to the census director by the members of Congress:
Have a question about the 2020 census? Ask us here.
