Sacramento, California - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued the following statement after a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a judgment in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June permanently barring the Trump Administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census:

“This judgement closes the door on any further attempts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census – once and for all,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Now it’s time to get to work to ensure a thorough and accurate count takes place next year. We strongly encourage everyone to participate in the 2020 census.”

About the Census

Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution requires a census, a count of the nation’s entire population. The results of the census determine state representation in congress as well as the distribution of crucial federal funding. Billions of dollars that California receives in federal funding annually to fund programs and services that support the health and well-being of our communities are at stake. California cannot afford an undercount – it is critical for everyone to be counted, regardless of immigration status. The California Census Office provides resources to make it easier for partners and stakeholders to help spread the message about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census to communities throughout California.

Census data is protected by law. Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, census data is strictly confidential and can only be used for statistical purposes. Information provided cannot be used against residents by any government agency or court of law. For more than two hundred years, that’s the way it’s always been.