Hi all,  

We have a very important task, and we like you to join us in pushing the US Government to add a MENA category to all government documents. 

 

Right now, we are counted as “white” and are systematically excluded from equal opportunity and equal protection.

 

We have been seen as foreign by the government and the public while also being invisible. During COVID-19, we didn’t have enough data on MENA communities to help fight the pandemic amongst our communities. We were left behind. And even though small business ownership and entrepreneurialism is a huge part of the MENA community, the lack of MENA data keeps policymakers and program officials blind to the obstacles we face establishing a successful small business.  

 

This is our chance to ensure that the government recognizes and meets the needs of MENA communities. This is our chance to change history. 

 

If we are successful, MENA communities will finally be eligible to receive better protection, support, and federal funding, allowing for more equitable health, education, political representation, and support for small businesses in our communities. If they don’t receive enough feedback, they could decide that this is not an efficient use of resources and not add a category. We cannot let that happen. 

 

As the White House Office of Budget and Management, put April 12, 2023 as the deadline to receive public comments (they asked for 10,000 public comments).

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5/4/23 Update, the Office of Management and Budget informed us that out of over 14,000 letters and comments received, 13,350 of them were accepted, so here we are ready for the next step... please stay tuned

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9/23/2023 Update WASHINGTON, D.C., Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion Act, legislation that would help make sure the federal government accurately recognizes the experiences and needs of members of MENA communities. This bill would help make them eligible for targeted minority public health programs and resources. Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.-16) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

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03/28/2024 Update Washington D.C., The Office on Management and Budget of the federal government introduce SB 15 to add the category of MENA to all of the US government forms effective in 2029.

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As we, the Arb Cultural and Community Center, welcome this move by the US Government, we disagree with some details of this bill and we will continue along with our partner organizations across the US to negotiate for a better definitions of the sub categories of MENA 

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#CountMENAInCA is a campaign by the CA MENA Civil Rights Coalition, anchored by Arab American Civic Council and Armenian-American Action Network, to pass AB 91, commonly referred to as the California MENA Inclusion Act. The California MENA Inclusion Act would finally make the State of California have a distinct MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) category for all state data and agencies.

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In 2024, the CA MENA Civil Rights Coalition introduced a version of the MENA Inclusion Act, requiring all state departments, agencies, and commissions collecting demographic data on Californians to include a “Middle Eastern or North African” (MENA) category, further broken down into specific subgroups. However, the bill stalled in appropriations in April 2024.

On January 6, 2025, Assemblymember John Harabedian reintroduced the bill as AB 91 to continue the push for MENA inclusion across California. Under this legislation, state departments—such as the California Department of Education—would be required to collect and report data on MENA communities, including student success rates, bullying incidents, and support needs, where applicable. This mandate would apply to all state agencies collecting demographic data.

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AB 91, passed the California Assembly general voting 79 - 0 and now it is in the California Senate.. on 7/8/25, it passed the Senate Judiciary committee and now heading to the California State Senate Appropriation committee where it should go for a vote on 8/18/2025

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to get more information or to join our campaign, please feel free to call the ACCC