Nation's Mayors Applaud Court Decision Blocking Addition Of Citizenship Question To 2020 Census
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Below is a statement from United States Conference of Mayors President Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin on today's ruling blocking the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census:
"The nation's mayors are extremely gratified that U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman of New York's Southern District court blocked the Commerce Department's attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. As part of the coalition of 18 Attorneys General and six cities that brought the lawsuit, the U.S. Conference of Mayors believes such a question would have surely jeopardized a full, fair and accurate count and undermine the very core of the constitutional mandate of the Census.
"Mayors?both Democrat and Republican?have long contested that previous censuses have undercounted cities. The addition of a citizenship question would have undoubtedly discouraged participation and further compromised a process that mayors across this country depend on to provide essential services, including transit, housing, education and public safety.
"It is imperative that every person living in our country is counted no matter their citizenship status. Not only do we need to ensure that our local resources adequately support those living in our cities, we must guarantee that the Census truthfully reflects the diverse fabric of our great nation."
About The United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.
SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors
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