Federal government pushing to add citizenship question to 2020 U.S. Census

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Are you in the U.S. legally or illegally?

That's a controversial question the federal government could ask you on the next census.

"It feels like it's another layer of fear added on," said Faith Josephs, with the Latin American Coalition.

Josephs said if Charlotte's immigrants without documentation are asked about their legal status many won't answer.

[RELATED: Citizenship question will return in 2020 census]

"There's already so much fear in the immigrant community right now in terms of anti-immigrant rhetoric going on," she said.

Officials with the Trump administration said they are pushing to add a citizenship question to the U.S. census in 2020.

The North Carolina Justice Center estimates there are 400,000 immigrants who don't have citizen status in North Carolina.

If they don't answer the new citizenship question in 2020, there will be consequences.

If the state's population shrinks with the official head count, so will its federal funding. That could have a far-reaching impact in Charlotte on everything from school funding to health care to highway projects.

A political analyst for a conservative think-tank based in Raleigh doesn't think a census undercount will be a major problem.

"I think if you are in the United States illegally, you're already going to want to avoid taking part in any sort of federal government documentation," said Mitch Kokai, with the John Locke Foundation.

If the census records a sizeable population drop, it could impact elections.

States could lose seats in the House of Representatives and Electoral College votes.

"It has that potential, but I'm guessing that the effect is going to be minimal," Kokai said.

Immigration advocates disagree, and they are warning people not to underestimate the fears running through the community.

"We know, unfortunately, many more families will be discouraged and will choose not to participate,” Josephs said.

The U.S. commerce secretary has until the end of March to decide whether the question will be added.

It will be the first time a citizenship question will have been on the census since the 1950s.

California is already suing the Trump administration.

Channel 9 is asking North Carolina's attorney general if he will take any action as well.

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