Why can not add the question of citizenship in the census

On April 23, the US Supreme Court heard a panel discussion on the case of the US Department of Commerce v. New York City, better known as the Citizenship Case in the Census. The plaintiff in this case is New York City and the Attorney General of the State of New York, as well as a number of other states and cities - and for good reason.

Фото: Depositphotos

This case may deprive the proper representation of the already unreported color population and immigrants of the city of New York. As a result, New York may lose a share of federal funding directed to important programs and services (including programs of public housing, baby food and special education) for which billions of dollars are allocated.

This case resulted from the fact that the Trump administration added a question to the “2020 Population Census” questionnaire (which, by the way, wasn’t asked since 1950): “Are you a United States citizen?” Trump against immigrants. Once again, the administration is trying to belittle the people of color, silence immigrants and turn the United States into a country of alienation, but not unity. We have not retreated since the beginning of the work of this administration, we will not retreat even now.

By including this question in the questionnaire, the Trump administration seeks to discourage immigrants from participating in the census, which will lead to their undercounting in many multinational cities and states. When the population of a city or state is underestimated, people in these regions receive insufficient representation in Congress and lose some of their federal funds.

It is assumed that as a result of under counting, New York State could lose up to two congressional seats. The same can happen in other states where large immigrant or colored communities live - they can lose a disproportionately large part of the representation.

Simply put, the Trump administration is trying to use the constitutional duty of the federal government to consider us as a tool, so that we can do harm.

In addition to representation, another important factor is the amount of federal funding. The federal government annually allocates cities and states over 800 billions of 320 for different programs that depend on a population census. Funding for public education, programs for people with special needs, low-income women, nursing homes, and infrastructure depends on a population census.

In 2016 alone, based on census data for 2010, New York State received more than 73 billions of dollars in 55 programs. Moreover, census data is used by municipalities and enterprises in making vital decisions. For example, in response to a measles outbreak, the New York City Department of Health relies on census data to determine vaccination rates and coverage of affected areas.

Understanding the seriousness of the problem, we received hope for a favorable outcome of the case when, in January, US District Court Judge Jesse Furman (JesseFurman) decided that the issue of citizenship by the Trump administration violated federal law. This decision was appealed by the Trump administration, and on Tuesday, Supreme Court judges heard the arguments of the City of New York.

We remain confident that the facts - and the law - are on our side.

We know that the very likelihood of including the issue of citizenship has already harmed the immigrant communities. To all immigrants and communities in our city who doubt the relevance of participating in the census, we say: the best way to fight back and overcome the fear imposed by the Trump administration is to fill in the census form.

Next year, for the first time in history, the form will be available online, and a couple of minutes will be enough to fill it out. Those who do not have access to the Internet will be able to answer questions over the phone.

Let's declare here and now: we will not allow us to be deprived of our legal rights, and we have the right to be heard everywhere - from Congress to local schools.

We are new yorkers. We will be considered, we will be considered.

About the Authors: Julie Menin is the head of the population census in the city of New York, as well as the senior legal counsel for strategic advocacy. Bitta Mosfi is an authorized representative of the mayor's office for immigrants.

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