Espaillat and Torres Statement on Updated Race and Ethnicity Census Data Standards

WASHINGTON, DC –Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) commend the efforts of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in updating Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity announced last week. However, they acknowledge the notable absence of specific signaling to Afro-Latinos which is critical to ensure their accurate representation in census questionnaires and federal surveys. 

The U.S. Census was established by our Constitution and is one of the most powerful tools in our Democracy. It takes place every 10 years and brings society together to ensure every municipality in the nation gets a fair allocation of political representation and federal funding for a range of items that include infrastructure, schools, social safety net programs, as well as representation in Congress.

“We are appreciative of the Biden Administration for this latest effort to ensure diversity, inclusion, and representation with recent modifications to the Census Bureau to include new expanded categories for race and ethnicity," said Congressman Espaillat. "However, there is a need for additional research, testing, and stakeholder engagement, especially regarding encouraging the selection of multiple categories for Afro-Latinos. Considering the growing diversity around the nation, particularly among Afro-Latinos, Black immigrants, and in multiracial populations, this is crucial for how we are counted and how our communities are funded. I look forward to working with administration officials to ensure diverse voices are heard and acknowledged as the new reporting system is implemented." 

"The U.S. Census is a cornerstone of our democracy," said U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15). "However, I am concerned about the absence of specific guidance for Afro-Latinos, a group whose precise representation is crucial for the fair allocation of resources and political representation. While we appreciate the Biden Administration's efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the Census, more research and stakeholder engagement are needed, especially regarding selecting multiple categories for Afro-Latinos. Rep. Espaillat and I are committed to working with the administration to ensure diverse voices are heard and acknowledged in this process."

The changing racial and ethnic composition of the 2020 Census reporting highlighted a significant shift in changing demographics of the nation. As we approach the 2030 Census, the work of the Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity will be crucial to ensure a fair and accurate count of all communities and to guarantee that federal programs and policies are uplifting all Americans. 

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov