March 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
media@aclu.orgLeaving Immigrants Out of Census Will Result in Funding
Shortfalls,
ACLU Says
COLUMBUS, OH-
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio warned legislators that a new
plan to exclude immigrants from the census proposed by a group of Ohio lawmakers
would harm communities and stretch scarce services for all Ohio families by not
getting an accurate count of all those residing in the area.
“Thousands of immigrants work, raise families and pay taxes in
Ohio. These legislators want to completely discount their contributions to
communities by not including them in the next census,” said ACLU of Ohio
Executive Director Christine Link. “ Not only will this send a hurtful symbolic
message to people providing for their families in Ohio, it will also seriously
affect the amount of funding their community receives for things like education,
roads, and other vital services.”
“With almost 175,000 non-citizens
in Ohio, several communities could face losing substantial funds and be forced
to stretch already tight budgets because not all of their population will be
counted,” Link added.
Omitting those not born in the United States
could also pose serious health and safety risks. Disaster recovery plans,
disease management strategies and public health assessments all rely on data
gleaned from the census report.
The bill could also have dire
implications for the economy in Ohio. Many organizations rely on attracting
talented workers from around the world to live and work in Ohio, including
doctors, researchers, college professors, engineers and others. This proposal
would communicate to these highly skilled people that they do not count in Ohio,
despite their contributions.
“This proposal is not good for
immigrants, communities, public health and safety or the economy in Ohio,” said
Link. “Instead of restricting and punishing people, Ohioans should try bringing
communities together and affecting positive change in our immigration
system.”
