WASHINGTON -- Groups on both sides of the Trump administration's decision to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 Census have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Tuesday to share comments with the federal agency.
The debate over adding the question has stirred protests and letter-writing campaigns. It has also been the subject of congressional hearings, legislation and lawsuits.
Groups have called on supporters to post comments on the Census Bureau website. The comments are part of the bureau's preparations for the upcoming decennial. The population survey is key to determining the distribution of federal funds and allocating Congressional districts.
By late Monday, the agency had received more than 39,000 comments. The comments, which are public, will not be available for viewing until after the period closes, according to the Census website.
Earlier this year, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced that the agency would add the question, saying it is "necessary to provide complete and accurate Census block level data."
Civil rights groups argue the question is unnecessary and have filed lawsuits to reverse the decision.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote a letter Monday urging the Census Bureau to eliminate the question, saying it "only serves to instill fear among immigrant communities, decrease participation, and negatively impact the outcome and accuracy of the 2020 Census."
Democrats have introduced bills to undo the decision, but the measures have little chance of passing the Republican-controlled Congress.
Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, told reporters at the National Association of Black Journalists conference on Friday that the Census is being "manipulated" and "weaponized" for political gains.
The Justice Department asked Census officials in December to "reinstate" the question, which was last asked in 1950 on the short-form Census questionnaire most people receive. Justice officials said the information would help in enforcing a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act designed to protect against discrimination in voting.
Supporters of the decision, including Republican lawmakers, argue the question should be asked.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, chairman of the House Judiciary's subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice, praised the Trump administration for adding the question.
"I hope we continue working toward a 2020 Census that accurately represents the American people," he said at a hearing in June.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/07/citizenship-question-2020-census-stirs-protests-and-comments/924713002/
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For cryin' out loud... asking about citizenship is NOT a new thing. Yeah, it may not have appeared on every census, but we've been asking questions along that line for the last 160 years. As a genealogist and family historian, I WANT this question on the records.
The 1850 census was the first one that listed each individual on it. Note column 9 - the question of place of birth ("Naming the State, Territory, or Country"). While not specifically asking about citizenship, it's a start.
This question was asked in 1860, as well. In 1870, they added questions to determine if the individual's parents were of foreign birth. Still not citizenship, of course, but in that time, if both parents were foreign-born, and an individual was also foreign-born, then odds were, they were not US citizens.
In 1900, the census asked for the birthplace of each individual, as well as the birthplaces of their parents. For those who were foreign-born, it asked the year they immigrated to the US, how many years they had resided here, and if they were naturalized citizens. Ah! Finally the citizenship question! The 1910 census also included the immigration year and naturalization status (Naturalized or Alien)
In 1920, the questions regarding citizenship were dropped, though the birthplaces of parents (and their native language) was included. It also asked if the individual spoke English.
In 1930, the questions regarding immigration and citizenship status were reinstated.
In 1940, the citizenship question was simplified - if someone was foreign born, it asked if they were naturalized or alien.
Since 1940, questions regarding the citizenship status of foreign-born individuals has always been asked, at least of some respondents (they had a 'long-form' and a 'short form' questionnaire - the 'long form' included the question).
In 1990, they actually straight-up asked if the individual was a citizen of the US, not limiting the question to those who are foreign-born.
If you're curious, the census has the historical list of census questions available for all to see:
http://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/index_of_questions/
Asking about citizenship is far from a new thing. The Democrats need to get their knickers untwisted and just deal with it.
What is the point of rules that are not enforced?
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