Updated: Census Citizenship Question Officially Cancelled

The U.S. Department of Commerce was not successful in achieving a highly consequential change to the 2020 Census form, after the Supreme Court ruled it needed a better reason to make the change.

2 minute read

July 3, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Campaign Rally

Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock

[Updated July 3, 2019]

Following last week's Supreme Court decision in United States Department of Commerce v. New York, which dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration's plans to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, confirmation arrives that the question will officially now longer be included in the biennial count.

Zoe Tillman reports: "The Trump administration will carry out the 2020 Census without a citizenship question, according to an email the Justice Department sent Tuesday to groups that sued over the question, marking a huge victory for Democrats and civil rights advocates."

The Supreme Court had left open the possibility of the Department of Commerce adding a citizenship question in the future. "A majority of the justices — Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. joined the court's more liberal wing — concluded that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had given a 'contrived' reason for adding the question now," explains Tillman.

President Trump responded to the ruling by tweeting that he might delay the entire Census to force the change through. That threat turned out to be empty, according to these reports.

Update: Despite both the Department of Justice email and a public statement from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross confirming the news that the citizenship question would not be included on the 2020 Census form, President Donald Trump took to Twitter today to call the news "FAKE!" and insist his administration is moving forward with the citizenship question.  

Tuesday, July 2, 2019 in BuzzFeed News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Small rural USPS post office in manufactured one-story grey building with American flag in front.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes

Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

February 12, 2025 - Cowboy State Daily

Chicago

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

April 8 - 2TheAdvocate.com

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog

Military humvee driving through gate at Fort Indiantown Gap Natl Guard training center in Pennsylvania surrounded by winter trees and dead leaves.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species

The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.

February 24 - Esri Blog