You may have seen recent news about the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent state data sharing agreement that asks states to voluntarily share driver’s license records that include citizenship data. 

We are sharing the below background to help answer any questions you may receive, as well as talking points for media to help reassure people that the census is safe and secure. 

Background

The requests are in response to an executive order issued by the Administration in July 2019 after the citizenship question was removed from the 2020 Census. The Administration directed the Census Bureau to compile federal and, where possible, state administrative records to produce data on citizens and noncitizens.

It is up to us to ensure that our friends and family know the facts and are not deterred from participating in the 2020 Census. A few important things to remember:

• The citizenship question will not be on the 2020 Census form. 
• All data collected by the Census Bureau(including data collected via administrative record sharing agreements) are confidential and protected under federal law. The Census Bureau is not allowed to release individual data or personal responses to anyone, for any purpose—including to other government agencies or law enforcement. See more information about the federal laws that protect census confidentiality in this fact sheet from the Brennan Center.
• Responding to the census will help ensure that our communities get our fair share of federal funds for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start, unemployment benefits, Section 8 housing vouchers, programs for seniors and veterans with disabilities, and school lunch programs. It also helps ensure that our communities have fair political representation, and enough money to build roads, hospitals, and schools.

Talking Points for the Media

• It’s important that people understand that not all states are complying with this voluntary request, and that under federal law, the Census Bureau is not allowed to release individual data or personal responses they receive to other government agencies or law enforcement.
• That means filling out your census form is still safe and secure. There’s no citizenship question on the 2020 Census and your individual data won’t be linked to any of these records.
• When communities are missed in the census, they lose out on funding, resources, and equal political representation — everyone deserves to be counted.
  • Participating in the census helps determine how many books and computers your kids’ school can afford, where companies bring new jobs, and whether there’s money to fix your communities’ roads.
  • Ensuring an accurate census will help make sure your community is properly represented in Congress, state legislatures, and even city and county councils and local school boards.