This post was written by Communications Intern Jovahana Avila.
CPPP has submitted formal comments in opposition to the addition of a citizenship status question to the 2020 Census. The decision to include the citizenship question could sacrifice the fairness and accuracy of the 2020 Census.
The Census is intended to count every person in the United States – regardless of their citizenship status. Every person living in Texas should be counted by the 2020 Census, including immigrant families. The proposed citizenship status question is untested (something unheard of at the Census Bureau). And experts believe that its inclusion will lead to a significant undercount of U.S. citizens, as well as documented immigrants, since people may decline to answer out of fear. Given the hostile political climate toward immigrants today in the United States, this is no time to insert these politics into the Census.
An accurate 2020 Census count is critical for Texas, as Census data determine political representation in Congress and the amount of federal funding communities receive for public services like public education, transportation, housing, and health care.
With rapid growth in the Texas population over the last decade, Texas is poised to gain up to three new congressional representatives and millions of dollars in federal funds. However, asking people’s citizenship status as part of the 2020 Census puts Texas at risk of a population undercount and could prevent Texas from having the representation and funding we deserve.
The time to oppose the citizenship question on the Census and have it removed is NOW. Call your members of Congress and ask them to oppose the citizenship question and have it removed. You can also follow CPPP for future updates on the 2020 Census.
Read more about the misguided decision add a citizenship question, and why the 2020 Census matters to Texans.
