NALEO Responds to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address to Congress

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) today released a statement from Chief Executive Officer, Arturo Vargas regarding President Donald Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address to Congress: “Tonight, President Donald Trump presented his view of where we are as a nation while promoting what he called the ‘Great American Comeback.’ Regrettably, the President’s speech did not mention the 2020 Census. As the nation’s Latino leaders have worked tirelessly to alleviate the damage caused by misinformation and efforts to undermine the integrity of the census, the President’s choice to ignore the census in his speech reminded us that there is still work to be done ahead of the constitutionally required decennial count. “As the nation’s second-largest population group, the Latino community continues to play a significant role in civic life. When our community succeeds, all of America succeeds, which is why the 2020 Census must deliver a full and accurate count of all residents in the country. This is why it is paramount that President Trump and his Administration fully and pointedly support the Census Bureau in its efforts to carry out its mission. “Unfortunately, the President also used this critical moment to yet again, peddle anti-immigrant sentiment. The Latino community understands the danger of this kind of rhetoric. Only six months ago, a gunman opened fire in El Paso, Texas, murdering 22 people in one of the deadliest attacks on Latinos in the history of our country. And while the President’s speech addressed protecting America, our nation must do better to also protect those at home from the heinous violence of white supremacy. “The nation’s more than 6,800 Latino elected and appointed officials continue to stand ready to work with the federal government on the issues that face our community. From immigration reform to quality jobs and education, Latino leaders and community members understand that when we put aside our divisions, we can accomplish sound policy and real results. “NALEO remains dedicated to putting our broad coalition of Latino leaders in the best positions to be successful. As our organization furthers the mission of our founder, the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal, we continue to equip our nation’s Latino elected and appointed officials with the tools and information they need to support their constituents and Latinos nationwide.”