Census question of citizenship could hamper count of Asian Americans

Updated Apr.10, 12:40 p.m. to include AAPI Data graphic.

The US Census takes place a year from now. AAPI agencies around the country launched an information campaign on April 1 to get the different communities to take part in the national tally.

Donald Trump, couldn't resist tweeting about the subject and weighed in on the 2020 Census Monday.


Well, then: Trump's "all important citizenship question" -- the one that will demand respondents tell the government whether they or other members of their household are U.S. citizens -- is nothing more than an intimidation tactic.

A question about citizenship status hasn't appeared on the survey in decades and is designed to scare away immigrant families and historically-disadvantaged populations from participating in the count. 

Since the early 2000s, the immigration rate from Asia has surpassed any other ethnic group. Asian Americans will be the mostly harshly affected by this question since a majority of the communities are first-generation immigrants. When these groups are under-reported, their communities -- citizen and non-citizen alike -- won't get the funding or electoral power they deserve.

That's not a "radical left" talking point. In fact, two federal judges concluded the addition of the question is unlawful -- one even ruled it unconstitutional. 

Asian Americans are already the most difficult group to convince to take part in the dicennial count, according to a report from Bureau of the Census. Having the citizenship question will only heighten the fear they have about how the data might be used against them.

The Constitution mandates that every person be counted. It does not distinguish between documented or undocumented. Every. Person.

Whether an immigrant has his papers should be irrelevant. Each person needs representation in all levels of government from local school boards to Congress, to fund their schools, to preserve health services, to get affordable child care, to ensure there is adequate funding for retirees,  and to make sure they get a fair shake in the judicial system.

From now until Census Day 2020, various AAPI advocate agencies will work tirelessly to educate Americans on why the Census is so important. Here's why:

1. The Census will determine where $800 billion in federal funds goes -- which communities get funding for schools, investments in infrastructure, and more.


2. The Census will set electoral representation for a decade. In 2021, after all people are counted, the Bureau will give each state its new population data. This data will determine the number of U.S. House seats each state receives and further inform how the people responsible for drawing maps draw new districts not only for Congress but for school districts, county governments and large cities. That's your representation in government!

This Census is critical for democracy to work. The current Administration's reckless actions in an attempt to scare away those whose immigration status is in question puts that democracy at risk.

Some critics say this is the Trump administration's end run in order to punish California, a la Democrat-dominated state which has the largest number of immigrants, with papers or not, and, not coincidentally, have the largest number of representatives in Congress and have challenged many of Trump's edicts in court - from immigration to the environment.

If the census data states and local governments receive in 2021 isn't accurate or reliable, it's not hard to see what will happen: Funding and voting representation will be skewed for a decade, hurting communities who need help and support the most.