CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS LAUNCH MULTILINGUAL 2020 CENSUS HOTLINES

Contact

Michelle Boykins (202) 296-2300, ext. 0144 mboykins@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Washington, DC – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Arab American Institute, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and NALEO Educational Fund are launching 2020 Census hotlines for the communities they serve.  The suite of hotlines will operate in over ten languages and serves as a crucial resource for individuals who have questions or concerns regarding the upcoming 2020 Census.

These civil rights organizations will be coordinating to provide information about the Census, answer questions, and when needed, follow up on challenges to participating in the count.  Each organization also possesses extensive experience operating hotlines for the communities they serve and will be able to provide assistance nationwide. The hotlines will answer calls in English, Spanish, Arabic, and eight Asian languages.

“The Census Hotline is designed as a real-time resource for individuals who have questions regarding the upcoming Census – from basic information requests to legal incidents that may require a rapid response,” said Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Our central goal is ensuring a full and accurate count of all people, with a particular focus on communities that have historically proven hard to count including African American men and boys, immigrants, young children, renters and more. By connecting communities to a trusted advocate, our aim is to expand and deepen civic engagement for all people living in this country. We aim to eliminate all barriers that might prevent people from accessing the 2020 Census, which drives the allocation of federal funding, shapes redistricting efforts at virtually every level, and informs public policies for the next decade. Our hotline and the accompanying educational support and legal assistance that it provides will bring us one step closer to ensuring a successful 2020 Census that leaves no one behind.”

The following operating organizations’ 2020 Census hotline numbers and information are as follows:

1. Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: (888)-COUNT20 or (888)-268-6820
2. Arab American Institute: (833) 333-6864; (833)-3DDOUNI ("Count me" in Arabic)   
3. Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC: (844) 2020-API or (844) 202-0274
   1. The hotline will be available in English, Mandarin (普通話), Cantonese (廣東話), Korean (한국어), Vietnamese (tiếng Việt), Tagalog, Urdu  (اردو), Hindi (हिंदी), and Bengali/Bangla (বাংলা).
4. NALEO Educational Fund: (877)-EL-CENSO or (877)-352-3676

“The Census is about ensuring we are all counted, and we know we are facing more challenges than unusal with the 2020 Decennial Census. We are proud to join our coalition partners in ensuring people have a resource to turn to when they have questions or need help,” said Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute. “We are excited to launch our Arabic/English bilingual Census hotline as a resource for the millions of Arab Americans across the country who require safe roads, good schools, health care research, and political representation, to name just a few of the many important things that rely on accurate census data.  We are constantly working to ensure Arab Americans are fairly and accurately counted in 2020, and the hotline (833-3DDOUNI) is a key part of that effort.” 

“We are launching the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hotline with our partner APIAVote to ensure that everyone in our community, regardless of status, is able to get the answers they need to fully participate in the 2020 Census,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.  “It is important that we have robust participation because each census response is a piece of a puzzle that, when completed, creates a picture of who we are as Americans, and what we need to know about the growing and changing needs of our community. From funding for college financial aid, hospitals, roads, and community centers to where to put the next schools or businesses, a full and accurate 2020 Census helps to respond to the specific needs of our families and neighbors.”

“Ensuring that every man, woman, and child is counted fairly and accurately is fundamental to the future prosperity of our diverse nation.  Latinos are the second largest population group in the country, and a successful Census is impossible without a complete count of our community,” said Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Office for NALEO Educational Fund. “Given the general uncertainty Latinos are currently feeling about Census 2020, we are proud to launch (877) EL-CENSO to provide accurate information to the Latino community from a trusted messenger.”