WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing the “Census Accuracy Act of 2017.” King’s legislation seeks to improve the quality of data collected by the United States Census, particularly with regard to its ability to document the number of aliens who are in the country illegally.
“For the last 15 years, I have heard the same figure advanced by Amnesty proponents regarding the number of illegal aliens in the country. I do not believe that the static number they offer is accurate as it seems more like a well-established talking point. In fact, I believe the number of illegal aliens in the country is far higher than many suppose. The Census should be better equipped to measure this number so that policy makers can take appropriate actions to reduce the deleterious impact illegal immigration has on our nation.”
King’s legislation will amend the census questionnaire to ensure that those answering are provided a question regarding whether they are citizens, aliens who are in the country lawfully, or aliens in the country illegally. In addition, the bill will require that those who answer that they are aliens in the country lawfully identify which federal program or law granted them the status that they are claiming.
A copy of Congressman King’s bill is available here.
