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Los Angeles County To Denounce Immigration Question On 2020 Census

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to voice their concern over a recent Department of Justice proposal to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census form.


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For the past 70 years, the census has not included a question regarding citizenship. But a recent Department of Justice proposal to include a question about an individual’s status of residency would reverse that seven decade-long policy.

Now, alongside the state of California, 18 states, six major cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors have authored a letter emphasizing their shared disapproval of the new question.

Related: Santa Clarita City Council Instructs Staff To Gather Information About ‘Sanctuary City’ Status

“Whether unintentional or by design, including a citizenship question in the census will not only result in an inaccurate count, it would deny communities with immigrant populations –like L.A. County– their fair share of Federal funding and resources,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

As Hahn argues, the new question would result in inaccurate statistics because less people would respond due to fear of possible deportation — especially in a city such as Los Angeles which has a large immigrant population,

However, the new question is not the only change that Los Angeles County supervisors are alarmed by.

“The 2020 Census is the first census that will be done primarily electronically, which creates an additional barrier for low-income families and communities of color,” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “Adding any question makes the form longer, reducing response rates – and adding a citizenship question in particular is likely designed to further depress responses, especially among immigrant communities.”

The census is used as the basis for much of the federal funding and resource allocation that counties generally depend on, and the new proposals would disproportionately affect vulnerable communities in Los Angeles, according to officials.

Authored by Supervisor Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Hahn, the five-signature letter to the Department of Commerce includes a three-fold approach to the issue:

  • Send a five-signature letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the County’s Congressional delegation, urging that a citizenship question not be included on the 2020 Census form and opposing any proposals that could negatively impact an accurate count of Los Angeles County residents in the 2020 Census.
  • Thank U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris in their opposition efforts to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census and requesting that they author an amendment to prohibit use of funds to include such a question.
  • Enhance the County of Los Angeles 2020 Census Planning Committee and Complete Count Committee’s education and outreach strategy by adding the Office of Immigrant Affairs as a partner in the Planning Committee and CCC’s planning activities.

Proponents of the new question have stated that the questionnaire provides data that is important to the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act, but it also provides for tighter controls on immigration.

“The census isn’t just a decennial headcount. It is a snapshot of America – and we have good reason to know who is here,” said Ira Mehlman with the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

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Los Angeles County To Denounce Immigration Question On 2020 Census

About Caleb Lunetta

Caleb has been a Santa Clarita resident for most of his life. After attending Hart High School, Caleb went on to study political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara along with College of the Canyons.