Erie County Executive "very concerned" about citizenship question on U.S. Census

[WNYresident]

Erie County Executive "very concerned" about citizenship question on U.S. Census

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, a Democrat, fired off a series of tweets Wednesday morning criticizing the Trump Administration's plan to include a question about citizenship on the 2020 U.S. Census.

I am very concerned about @POTUS attempt to include a citizenship question in the next census and the impact it will have on obtaining an accurate census in Erie County. My administration is already laying the groundwork so all residents are counted. 1/2 https://t.co/r5gMNuWnga

— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) March 28, 2018

The county executive goes on to say, "Erie County is the home to thousands of non-citizens who are legally in our country - legal immigrants and guests. The Constitution requires their counting, but this new question could result in most being uncounted. That is unacceptable."

https://www.wkbw.com/news/erie-count...?autoplay=true


Leave the question. It's proper.

[Save Us]

It’s strange you can ask a respondent about race, sex etc and not citizenship. I guess a country doesn’t have a right to know how many residents are here illegally.

[grump]

Poloncarz is a dope. Erie County hasn’t had a decent county executive since Ned Regan in the late 1970’s.

[WNYresident]

You wouldn't think knowing if you are a USA citizen, legal immigrant or here illegally would take a rocket scientist to answer.

[BorderBob]

You wouldn't think knowing if you are a USA citizen, legal immigrant or here illegally would take a rocket scientist to answer.

I don't know, it has not been on the form for 60 years. Must be a good reason why it was dropped. That said, you can just not answer. Its only a $100 fine if they charge you.




b.b.

[WNYresident]

Valid point but seeing we do have an issue with illegal immigration it's wise to ask. By rights federal money should only go to those who are legally here.

[BorderBob]

But the question is not “are you illegal.” It is citizenship. You could hold a green card which means you maintain your birth citizenship. Or you could be a student or non immigrant worker. Both legal non citizens.

Or could this be just a Stephen Miller, White Nationalist inspired, Trump complicit program to feed the darker parts of low esteem America. Afraid of this shadow, afraid for their future as the complexion of America changes.



b.b.

[dtwarren]

It won't help with illegal immigration. The answer to the any question on the census cannot be used against the person. U.S. Code, Title 13, Section 9 reads:

Copies of census reports … shall be immune from legal process, and shall not, without the consent of the individual or establishment concerned, be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit, or other judicial or administrative proceeding. [emphasis added]

[BorderBob]

It won't help with illegal immigration. The answer to the any question on the census cannot be used against the person. U.S. Code, Title 13, Section 9 reads:

Oops.



b.b.

[WNYresident]

But we need to be accurate, correct?

[dtwarren]

How is that question going to increase the accuracy of the count of the population?

[WNYresident]

we will have more accurate information. Citizen versus non-citizen.

If that doesn't make it more accurate why bother asking what nationality you are or the color of your skin?

If we can't ask the question citizen or not why ask any other question other than "How many are living in your house"?

[dtwarren]

To me this question will probably make the census less accurate as some may refuse to answer not only the question but to participate at all. They say it is to help enforce the Voting Rights Act why not ask more appropriate questions towards that end like:

Are you registered to vote?
If you are not registered to vote are you eligible to register to vote?
Can you legally vote in an election?

[Mr. Lackawanna]

I'm all for the question being on the census form.
It about time our country knows how many illegals are in this country.
If it results in the county getting less Federal handouts. So be it.
Mabey the county can save money by reducing the salaries of some of the high paying jobs on the NFTA and the Water Authority.

dtwarren's solution seems to be answer.

[sharky]

To me this question will probably make the census less accurate as some may refuse to answer not only the question but to participate at all. They say it is to help enforce the Voting Rights Act why not ask more appropriate questions towards that end like:

Are you registered to vote?
If you are not registered to vote are you eligible to register to vote?
Can you legally vote in an election?

Problem with the last question is places are starting to let illegals vote in some elections