WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to include a citizenship question on the 2030[...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's latest attempt to include a citizenship question on the 2030 Census form:

"The Constitution requires congressional representation to be based on the 'whole number of persons in each State'-not only citizens or green-card holders. Every person living in our country must be counted, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

The Trump administration's proposal would erase millions of people from the census data used to distribute political representation. It would exclude not only undocumented immigrants, but also refugees, asylum seekers, visa holders, and other people who are lawfully present in the United States but do not have permanent-resident status. This is un-American, unconstitutional, and a direct attack on immigrant communities.

An inaccurate count risks a decade of consequences. Census data help determine representation in Congress, electoral districts, and the allocation of federal resources for health care, education, infrastructure, and other essential services.

When Donald Trump tried to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Decennial Census form during his first term, I fought back and I won. Earlier this year, I co-led a letter with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and other Congressional leaders opposing changes to the Census test, which includes the citizenship question.

I've never stopped fighting to prevent this and I'm prepared to continue as the Top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. My message is clear: immigrants are part of our communities, and they will not be rendered invisible. The 2030 Census must remain an accurate count of the people-not a political weapon."