Citizen Only Updated National Tally Act; COUNT Act
Summary
The Citizen Only Updated National Tally Act (COUNT Act) directs federal agencies to assist the Department of Commerce in determining the number of citizens, noncitizens, and illegal aliens in the United States. This includes providing access to administrative records. The bill also mandates the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2030 decennial census and seeks to expand the American Community Survey to improve citizenship data collection.
Expected Effects
The COUNT Act aims to provide more accurate data on the citizenship status of individuals in the United States. This data would be used to inform immigration policies and laws. The termination of differential privacy access for the Census Bureau could impact the privacy of individual responses.
Potential Benefits
- More accurate data on the number of citizens, noncitizens, and illegal aliens.
- Improved understanding of the effects of immigration.
- Better-informed policymaking regarding immigration.
- Enhanced ability to evaluate immigration policies and laws.
- Increased transparency regarding citizenship data.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential privacy concerns due to the termination of differential privacy access.
- Increased burden on federal agencies to provide data.
- Risk of misuse or misinterpretation of citizenship data.
- Potential for increased discrimination based on citizenship status.
- Concerns about the accuracy and reliability of administrative records.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The COUNT Act's constitutional alignment is complex. Article I, Section 2, outlines the enumeration of the population for representation, which this bill seeks to refine. However, the collection and use of citizenship data could raise concerns under the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause if it leads to discriminatory practices. The termination of differential privacy also raises potential Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and seizures if privacy is not adequately protected.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).