MEDA Denounces Executive Order on Redistricting: Constitutionally Questionable Effort to Exclude Immigrants is Immoral and Should Be Judged Illegal

MEDA strongly condemns President Trump’s Tuesday signing of a memorandum that seeks to prevent undocumented immigrants from being counted when U.S. congressional voting districts are redrawn in the next round of redistricting. This marginalization of our hardworking immigrant Latino community has been a mainstay of this administration’s policies, and is evident in the administration’s numerous reprehensible and racist diatribes and actions that are used to advance those policies.

This latest executive order represents an assault on the U.S. Constitution, which clearly states that congressional apportionment is based on the “whole number of persons” in each state. Over the years, many federal laws have reinforced that interpretation.

According to Brookings, there are an estimated 10.5 to 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. That equates to approximately 3.2%–3.6% of the population. These are our neighbors, co-workers and friends — even if you don’t know this fact about their immigration status. Another crucial fact that is often ommited by those seeking to demonize newcomers is that undocumented immigrants are taxpayers, in the form of payroll and sales tax. These immigrants are vital contributors to our society: That is why there needs to be equitable government allocation of resources, which is possible only with a true counting of everyone living and working in each of our nation’s 435 congressional districts, including the 53 in California.

We ask everyone to stand up in the face of this unpatriotic act. Count yourself in Census 2020. Call your representative. Vote this November to make your voice heard.

MEDA vows to continue to:

Stand alongside our immigrant community, pursuing justice, fairness and inclusion.
Advance legislation and policies that support and honor the many contributions of immigrants, plus work to defeat initiatives that undermine their dignity and security.
Offer opportunity to immigrants to build economic security, especially through assistance with jobs, tax preparation, small-business development and affordable housing.
Advocate for resources to strengthen the immigrant community.

MEDA now looks to the courts to cease the implementation of this unwise and mean-spirited executive order that seeks to undermine the U.S. Constitution while vilifying immigrants. Checks and balances are an integral part of the U.S. Constitution — and such a check on overreach of executive power is needed now more than ever.

In solidarity,

Luis Granados
Chief Executive Officer