NewYork City

Census count on trial: A highly anticipated trial began this week concerning the Trump administration’s planned citizenship question on the 2020 census. The plaintiffs, a collection of states and cities, along with immigration advocacy groups, argue the question is designed to depress census responses among immigrants. Cities including New York and Philadelphia argue it would cost them congressional seats and billions in federal funding. An expert for the plaintiffs cited census data predicting 5 to 12 percent of noncitizen households would not participate if asked about citizenship. The Trump administration had said that the Justice Department suggested the change to enforce the Voting Rights Act. But on the eve of trial, plaintiffs released the deposition of a former assistant attorney general saying that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who is close to Trump, insisted that the question be added.