(WASHINGTON, DC) — The U.S. Census Bureau will begin testing the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) classification for possible inclusion in the 2020 census.
Arab-Americans have previously been classified as ‘white’ by the U.S. government, who said they would consider adding the MENA category if enough positive feedback was sent during public comment.
Community activists say this would be a step forward for Arab-American rights, especially since census inclusion would give access to more political influence and public funding.
Hassan Jaber, Executive Director of the Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services (ACCESS), is leading the effort for inclusion.
“We know the challenges,” said Jaber in comments published by the Associated Press. “It really does take rethinking — who we are as a population and what our needs are, (but) there are specific needs for Arab-Americans that are not being recognized and not being met.”
Jaber serves on the U.S. Census’ National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations. He says although adding the MENA category may find criticism from Republican lawmakers, they are willing to work with all sides in fair and open dialogue.
“Frankly, being under MENA will also give us a chance for the first time for minorities within the Arab communities, such as Chaldeans, Berbers and Kurds, to self-identify,” Jaber said.
The Census Bureau’s 2013 American Community Survey, which had a sample size of about 3 million addresses, estimated that 1.5 million people were of Arab ancestry. This doesn’t include citizens who fit the North Africa category.