we write to urge you to oppose H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act, and any future efforts to ask about citizenship or immigration status on the decennial census and to exclude noncitizens from the apportionment counts.

Census Bureau to exclude noncitizens from the UnidosUS Svante Myrick congressional apportionment calculation after each census — an action that would clearly People For the American Way Janai Nelson violate the plain meaning of the 14th Amendment to the U. [...] Asking about citizenship and immigration status in the census is unnecessarily intrusive and will raise concerns among all respondents — both native-born and immigrant, citizens and noncitizens, and mixed-status households alike — about the confidentiality and privacy of information provided to the government. [...] The Census Bureau cannot reliably determine the citizenship and immigration status of all residents without destroying the chance for an accurate census in all states. [...] Because census data guide the allocation of $2.8 trillion annually in federal assistance to states, localities, individuals, and families for a range of vital services, an inaccurate census will skew the fair and prudent distribution of federal resources for the next decade. [...] 7109 seeks to accomplish an unconstitutional goal; tries to amend the Constitution through unconstitutional means; and would put the accuracy of the multi-billion dollar, constitutionally required decennial census at grave risk in every state and community.