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PHOENIX (AP) — The Latest on a conference of Latino elected leaders on adding a citizenship question on the 2020 U.S. Census (all times local):
10:45 a.m.
Latino elected officials from around the nation questioned the head of the U.S. Census Bureau in Phoenix on Saturday over the proposed addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 survey, which they strongly oppose.
Arturo Vargas, the executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, said the decision to ask about citizenship status is purely political and will affect Latino communities by resulting in an undercount.
The group hosted it annual conference in Phoenix this week. It says the question will deter many from responding to the survey for fear that authorities will use the information against them.
Acting Census Director Ron Jarmin said the Census Bureau is barred by law from sharing Census results with other government agencies.
The Trump administration has said it's adding the question to better enforce the Voting Rights Act, which is meant to protect political representation of minorities.
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8:17 a.m.
A coalition of Latino elected leaders will hear from the head of the U.S. Census Bureau this weekend as controversy swirls over plans to ask about citizenship in the 2020 questionnaire.
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials is hosting its annual conference in Phoenix this week and on Saturday will host Census Acting Director Ron Jarmin.
The session is focused on getting an accurate count of Latinos in the nation.
Critics say the citizenship question will deter many from filling out the questionnaire, resulting in an undercount.
They say it's an unconstitutional attempt to discriminate against immigrants. A lawsuit against the plan is ongoing.
The Trump administration says it needs to add the question to enforce the Voting Rights Act, a 1965 law meant to protect political representation of minority groups.
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