"Since data is not to identify but rather gather information for economic regional statistics and the like, its surprising anyone would protest this."
The main complaint, as I understand it, is that census data is used to determine Congressional districts, and is therefore useful in gerrymandering. Obviously (and despite what Kris Kobach says), you can't vote if you're not a citizen, but knowing that there is a population of illegals in a certain area could influence the way the districts are drawn, depending on who is drawing the lines.
"Also, technically, according to one lawyer on the news, you don't even have to answer that question if you don't want to"
He's probably right; I can't imagine how they can force you to answer a question on a survey. But I don't think it's a relevant question, and although I'm a citizen I will be leaving that one blank if it makes it onto the census form, just on general principles. I wouldn't waste my time protesting against a question that doesn't have to be answered.
"And this question did appear way back on the 1950 census."
But hasn't appeared since. Why do we need it 70 years later?
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