public-policy article

National Assembly Comments on Census Citizenship Question

August 7, 2018

The National Assembly submitted comments to the Census Bureau today opposing the inclusion of the untested and unnecessary citizenship question on the 2020 Census. We also urged the Bureau to expand its community outreach efforts, and to investigate thoroughly and implement the best methods for obtaining census responses from hard to count populations and immigrant families to ensure a complete and accurate count. Undercounting low-income families, communities of color, and households with members of mixed immigration status would compromise the availability of essential resources that help all of us reach our full potential.

A fair and accurate census count is essential for human service organizations. These data are vital in determining the allocation of more than $800 billion in federal funding, apportioning political power at all levels of government, and informing the investment decisions of government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.