WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a challenge to Donald Trump’s plan to stop the Census Bureau from counting undocumented immigrants in population totals used by each state for congressional reapportionment.   

The Constitution clearly commands that the census count “all persons,” when drawing congressional districts—but Donald Trump wants to enshrine his xenophobia and racism by making the Census whiter and more privileged. This formula would take Congressional seats and funding away from states, particularly those with large immigrant populations, communities that often lack inequitable access to much needed resources because of the inherent structural racism that exists within our society. Exclusion from the Census would have a devastating impact on additional funding for schools, infrastructure, health care, as well as political representation and the opportunity to have their voices heard —just about everything that goes into the lifeblood of our communities.  Every person missed in the count will cost Congressional districts $10,000-$15,000 in federal assistance over the next decade.  

NOW responded to Donald Trump’s horrendously racist and inhumane immigration policies with our “Unlock the Future” campaign, which demanded we restore the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees and ensure them protection from sexual violence, assault, and poverty. This latest attempt to rewrite our laws and discard our principles is just another way the Trump administration continues to treat marginalized communities as less than human; we cannot allow their existence to be erased! 

NOW will always speak out for communities when those in power try to silence them. We call on the Supreme Court to throw out this blatantly racist policy and unlock the future not only for victims of Donald Trump’s immigration policies, but for the millions of undocumented immigrants whose rights must be expanded, not taken away. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on November 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NOW applauds President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for their decision to appoint an all-woman senior communications team in the White House, and a diverse economics team that includes more women in key roles than ever before, including Treasury Secretary, OMB Director and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. 

For the first time, all the top officials charged with speaking on behalf of the president and vice president will be female. Words matter—and it also matters who’s speaking them. With a communications operation led by women and economic policy shaped by a team that includes the first women and first women of color to hold key positions, the Biden Administration is doubling down on diversity. 

It’s a good start—and what’s even better is we know that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris aren’t finished. Women and women of color are in line to be named to more Cabinet posts and key roles in the Administration, like the National Intelligence Director. Joe Biden has even said he’ll fill a future Supreme Court vacancy with a Black woman. 

Representation matters—and in politics and government, it means that our elected officials must more closely resemble the people they serve. These women not only look more like our constituency, but they also bring a diversity of lived experiences that will better inform the policies that shape our society.   

NOW welcomes the shift from a government-run by a misogynistic culture to an Administration pledged to respect, value, and promote diversity at every level.  We urge the Senate to move forward on a fair and just confirmation process, so the country can finally begin to move forward.  

It’s about time.  

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,