U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) has introduced the Voter Population Accuracy Act, a bill that aims to reinstate the citizenship question on the United States census. The bill would require the Bureau of the Census to ask respondents about their citizenship status in the decennial census, a practice that was followed between 1890 and 1950.
Since 1950, the citizenship question has only been included in the long-form census questionnaire, which is sent to a small percentage of American households. This has led to a lack of information regarding the number of illegal immigrants in the country. Congressman Edwards believes that it is essential to evaluate whether a majority of census respondents are American citizens in order to accurately estimate the number of illegal immigrants residing in the United States.
The Voter Population Accuracy Act proposes two key measures. First, it seeks to reinstate the citizenship question in all future decennial censuses. Second, it requires that the citizenship question specify whether the respondent and every member of their household are U.S. citizens. These measures aim to provide a more precise number and location of illegal immigrants living in America.
Congressman Edwards emphasized the importance of securing the nation’s borders and ensuring accurate representation. He quoted Ronald Reagan, saying, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” Edwards expressed concerns about the ongoing invasion of the country’s borders and points of entry, highlighting the need to know who is entering the country and where they are staying. He believes that the census plays a crucial role in determining congressional representation and informing funding for federal programs.
“The American people deserve to know how many citizens live in this country and how many noncitizens are here,” stated Congressman Edwards. He emphasized the need to ask the basic and commonsense question of whether someone is an American citizen in the census.
The introduction of the Voter Population Accuracy Act by Congressman Edwards aims to address the lack of information regarding the citizenship status of census respondents. By reinstating the citizenship question, the United States can obtain a more accurate understanding of the number of illegal immigrants in the country. This information is crucial for proper representation and allocation of federal resources.
To find out more, go to this link: https://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/edwards-restore-citizenship-question-us-census
