DATE:
April 30, 2024
26
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
ADOPTION OF A NEW POPULATION CATEGORY FOR SAN DIEGANS OF MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN DESCENT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in San Diego County face a significant challenge due to the absence of a specific ethnicity category in data collection for this population. Despite being home to one of the largest refugee settlement communities in California, San Diego County residents of MENA descent often self-identify as Caucasian/White on U.S. Census and other government forms because there is no dedicated ethnicity category for them.
On March 28, 2024, the White House Office of Management and Budget announced that new standards will be used to collect federal data on race and ethnicity, including the addition of a Middle Eastern or North African category for the 2030 Census. April is also National Arab-American Heritage Month in the United States, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of MENA communities. Additionally, legislation (Assembly Bill 2763) is pending in the California State Legislature that would add a MENA category for demographic forms used in California.
In light of the federal changes to the collection of MENA information and the potential changes to state law regarding the collection of data for MENA groups, the County should provide for the self-identification for the MENA population living in the San Diego region. By providing a more inclusive and accurate representation of the MENA community, we can ensure that their voices are clearly heard, their needs are addressed, and their contributions are recognized.
Therefore, I recommend that the Board support my recommendation to direct County staff to offer our residents of Middle Eastern and North African descent the option of self-identifying as MENA when filling out County documents and adopt a position of suppor...
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