The Supreme Court is set to rule between now and the end of June on whether the Trump administration can put a question about citizenship on the 2020 U.S. census. After oral arguments took place two weeks ago, court watchers predicted the Justices will rule the question is constitutional.
According to new polling from The Hill, the majority of Americans believe the question should be included. In addition, Hispanics believe it should be answered.
Six in 10 registered voters, 60 percent, in a Hill-HarrisX survey released Tuesday said that the U.S. Census Bureau should ask the citizenship question even if it results in fewer responses. Another 21 percent said the question should not be included, while 19 percent were unsure.
Despite partisan differences, a majority of voters from all demographics included in the Hill-HarrisX survey said they believed the citizenship question should be included.
White voters overwhelmingly supported the question, with 65 percent in favor and 17 percent opposed. Black respondents favored asking about citizenship by a 53-19 percent margin. Hispanic respondents supported it, 53-28 percent.
Those who oppose the question being included argue it will discourage illegal immigrants or non-citizens from participating.
"The data collected by the census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities," Census.gov states.
Considering the census is used to determine how many congressional seats are allocated to each state, the question should absolutely be included. Illegal aliens or non-citizens, who are ineligible to vote, should not be counted toward elected Congressional representation in Washington D.C. In other words, they should not be counted to determine political power.
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