Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Citizenship and the census: What happens now?

A citizenship question on the 2020 census appears less likely following a Supreme Court ruling June 27. Many researchers involved with the census have strongly opposed adding the question, among them Julie Dowling, a professor of Latina/Latino studies at Illinois and vice chair of the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations. She spoke with News Bureau social sciences editor Craig Chamberlain about the potential consequences of the case.

Even if there is no citizenship question on the census, how do you think this case might affect the process or the response?

Not having a citizenship question will be much better in terms of response rates. However, the fact that we have seen considerable news coverage about this question for more than a year will have an impact.

For example, last summer there was a dress rehearsal for the census in Providence, Rhode Island, and the citizenship question was not on the form. And yet, because it was already in the news media that the administration wanted to add it, there were some decreases in participation. Some people surveyed in the dress rehearsal said they did not want to fill out the form because of the citizenship question – though, again, it was not on the form. So even without the question, there has been damage done in terms of how people will feel about the census in 2020.

Why have there been such strong objections to a citizenship question among researchers involved with the census?

Researchers know the census is absolutely crucial for so many reasons, including allocation of resources, political representation and scholarly research. They understand what is at stake and what the problems are with putting a question on a form without the appropriate testing. While citizenship status has been asked previously on the census, the proposed question in this current format has not been used on the decennial census form that goes out to all households. And most importantly, it has not been tested in the current political climate.

For researchers, it is truly astounding to think about putting a question on a survey that goes out to everyone in the country without necessary testing. Typically, before a question goes on the census there is a great deal of testing regarding everything from question design to placement on the form. You have to be sure that the question functions the way you want it to and that it does not decrease participation, contributing to an undercount.

Focus group research conducted by the Census Bureau and others has shown that people are hesitant to answer such a question – particularly Latinos, Asian Americans and other groups with higher numbers of immigrants.

Even for those who might be highly distrustful of the process or the government, how do you make the case for participating?

I emphasize with everyone that the census is critical, as it determines political representation and the distribution of federal funding. What will be most important in outreach to these populations is assuring them that Title 13 of the United States Code stipulates that the census cannot share any of the information they collect with anyone, including other government agencies, such as those involved with immigration or the Internal Revenue Service.

Editor’s notes:

To reach Julie Dowling, call 217-265-5502; email dowlingj@illinois.edu.

Dowling’s research has focused on the U.S. census and how definitions of race and ethnicity are understood by Latinos. She raised these and other concerns about the census in a Q&A last year following news about the Trump administration’s intention to add a citizenship question. Dowling also is the author of a 2014 book “Mexican Americans and the Question of Race.”

Read Next

Humanities Diptych image with book cover of "The New Internationals" and a headshot of English professor David Wright Faladé

English professor’s novel tells of love triangle in post-WWII Paris, based on his family history

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new novel by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign English professor David Wright Faladé tells the story of three people in a love triangle in post-World War II Paris. The characters in “The New Internationals” — a young French woman who has survived the Holocaust, a university student from West Africa and a […]

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010