Breaking News: Court Blocks Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

A federal judge's decision accuses U.S. Commerce Secretary of playing politics with the U.S. Census.

1 minute read

January 15, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


U.S. Census Bureau

Maria Dryfhout / Shutterstock

Laura Neumeister reports on the decision today by Judge Jesse M. Furman to block the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

The decision claims Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross made the decision to add the question without regard for evidence or proper procedure.

"He failed to consider several important aspects of the problem; alternately ignored, cherry-picked, or badly misconstrued the evidence in the record before him; acted irrationally both in light of that evidence and his own stated decisional criteria; and failed to justify significant departures from past policies and practices," writes Judge Furman in the decision.

The ruling came in a case brought by 18 states, Washington, D.C., and 15 municipalities and counties. Neumeister reports that another case involving the state of California has yet to be decided, so the issue is far from resolved.

More coverage is available from an article by Corinne Ramey that is behind the Wall Street Journal's paywall.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 in AP News

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Bird's eye view of empty asphalt parking lot with one blue car.

Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent

More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.

December 13 - Sightline

Close-up of "Shared Use Path" sign for pedestrians and cyclists on post in urban setting.

California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines

The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.

December 13 - Streetsblog California

Aerial view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska with holiday lights at sunset.

Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds

The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.

December 13 - KMTV 3 News Now

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.