This summary was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.
A record number NYC residents participated in the census, but the numbers could shrink dramatically if the U.S. Supreme Court allows undocumented immigrants to be excluded from the final count. Trump pushed to exclude undocumented immigrants from the count for the purposes of congressional apportionment. The Supreme Court will review his plan next month (see below). The Supreme Court also allowed the Trump administration to cut the count two weeks short. This year’s 61.9% response rate is slightly higher than 2010’s of 61.8%. Julie Menin, NYC Census 2020 director, characterized the increase as a big win given the pandemic. Gothamist
In other local immigration news…
A Family Trip Turned Into an Immigration Nightmare
The Cheng family came to the U.S. in April hoping to ride out the coronavirus pandemic that was causing havoc in their native China. But their arrival in Chicago put them into an immigration spiral that has completely upended their lives. They told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the O’Hare airport in Chicago they were afraid to go back to China. They were told they might be eligible for asylum, something they had never heard of before. Despite having valid visas, Lindong Cheng was placed in the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility and the children were paroled out and placed in hotels. Read more at Documented
Asian New Yorkers Hit Hard by Pandemic
Asian New Yorkers experienced record losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study by the Asian American Federation. Apparel manufacturing, laundry services, beauty, nail salons and food services were among the industries hardest hit by the pandemic, and they employ at least 20 percent of Asian workers. Unemployment claims for Asian New Yorkers grew two to five times faster than all unemployment claims, far outpacing other groups. Asians were also less likely to apply for unemployment insurance and other benefits due to fears about immigration consequences. Asian Americans make up 16% of New York City. NY1
Upstate Candidates Respond to Questions on Immigration
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik and Democratic challenger Tedra Cobb are competing for New York’s 21st Congressional District on Nov. 3. The mainly rural district borders Canada and encompasses the Adirondack mountains. Responding to questions from NCPR on their views on immigration, both called for more migrant visas to allow farmworkers to work in the U.S. On DACA-recipients, Cobb said she supported giving them a pathway to citizenship. Stefanik said she supported them staying in the country “while they worked, enlisted in the military, or pursued a degree while working toward citizenship” but opposed “amnesty.” She added that this could only be done with increased resources for the border. North Country Public Radio
