The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would add a citizenship question to the next U.S. census, a move that has drawn criticism from Democrats. The bill, which passed along party lines with 206 Republicans in favor and 202 Democrats against, would require respondents to state whether they are U.S. citizens.
Republicans argue that the citizenship question is necessary to ensure accurate representation in Congress, as non-citizens are not eligible to vote or hold office. They also say that the question would help to identify areas with high numbers of illegal immigrants, who they argue should not be counted in the census.
Democrats, however, say that the citizenship question would suppress participation in the census, particularly among immigrant communities. They also argue that it would lead to inaccurate data, as some non-citizens may be reluctant to participate in the census if they fear being identified and deported.
The bill’s future in the Senate is uncertain. Democrats are likely to oppose the bill, and it is unclear whether it will garner enough support from Republicans to pass.
The debate over the citizenship question has been going on for years. Former President Trump tried to add the question to the 2020 census, but the Supreme Court blocked the move. The current bill is likely to face similar legal challenges.
The census is a constitutionally mandated count of the U.S. population that is conducted every 10 years. The data collected from the census is used to determine the number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, as well as the distribution of federal funds.
The addition of a citizenship question to the census would have a significant impact on the political landscape of the United States. It could lead to a decrease in the number of seats that states with large immigrant populations have in the House of Representatives, and it could also affect the distribution of federal funds.
The debate over the citizenship question is likely to continue for years to come.
