U.S. bishops urge Census Bureau to withdraw proposed rule changes

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly opposes proposed Census Bureau rule changes that would exclude undocumented noncitizens from the population count used for congressional apportionment. The bishops argue that this exclusion fundamentally denies the recognition of these individuals as persons, violating the principle of equal human dignity. By comparing the proposal to the historic Three-Fifths Compromise, they highlight a regression in civil rights that undermines the moral obligations of a just society and ignores longstanding legal precedent. This shift threatens to severely disrupt the distribution of federal funds for essential services such as healthcare, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure. Since these resources are allocated based on census data, undercounting millions of people could deprive vulnerable communities of critical support. The bishops warn that inaccurate data will hinder their ability to serve those in need and compromise the common good, as the reliability of social programs depends on precise demographic representation. Relevant to open data, the proposal also seeks to remove questions on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation citing privacy concerns. The bishops counter that removing such demographic data obscures systemic inequities and prevents targeted policy interventions. They advocate for maintaining comprehensive data collection to ensure transparency and accuracy, emphasizing that open, reliable data is essential for identifying disparities and addressing racial injustice. Protecting the integrity of this data is crucial for fostering inclusive and equitable governance.

Source: ewtnnews.com
Published on 2026-10-28

U.S. bishops urge Census Bureau to withdraw proposed rule changes

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