Trump census question about citizenship could impact NC representation, federal funding, officials say

President Donald Trump wants to add an additional question to the 2020 Census: “Are you a citizen of the United States?”

Some North Carolina officials and activists feel that putting a citizenship question on the U.S. census is a big deal that could impact participation.

The census impacts political and economic power for North Carolinians, so for both citizens and non-citizens, experts said getting accurate numbers is crucial.

Richard Mahoney is the director of the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University.

“The constitution requires a count of every free human being, that’s what is says, in each state,” Mahoney said.

He said the census is extremely important for two reasons: money and representation in the Electoral College.

According to that count, there are billions of dollars in highway funding and health care that come from the federal government to the states.

“North Carolina had 15 votes currently in the Electoral College. That’s going to go to 16, and it could go to 17, but there has to be an accurate census,” Mahoney said.

The Trump administration argues it's a simple question worth asking, but opponents feel it would intimidate some communities from responding at all.

Emily Seawell from the ACLU of North Carolina said adding the question would lead to undercounting, which would impact everyone.

“There are a number of reasons why immigrants right now are hesitant to trust the government with their personal information,” Seawell said. “Asking a question about citizenship is playing on that fear.”

She said everyone in North Carolina would be negatively affected by an incorrect count.

“Census affects things from Medicaid, school lunch funding, where school lines are placed,” Seawell said. “It needs to know where people are and how the government can help them do things like get to work. That applies to people who are undocumented a well as citizens.”

Mahoney said undercounting would hurt North Carolina, especially since the state’s population has grown tremendously over the past 10 years.

“It would affect North Carolina growth,” Mahoney said. “There’s no question. Political growth in terms of seats. Economic growth in terms of funding.”

Several states have announced plans to sue the Trump administration over the question.