Census question triggers fight over federal power, money

Officials from across the country on Thursday met in Chicago to discuss President Trump's controversial plan to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census.

The move has already sparked a huge backlash.

The federal government routinely asks people their citizenship status in smaller surveys. But in the population count done every ten years, the stakes are much higher. The Trump administration's decision to include a citizenship question for the first time since 1950 outrages some critics.

“There's no requirement in the enumeration clause...is rather intimidating,” said state senator Kwame Raoul.

Republicans insist the only goal is accurate information.

“This isn't just about documented, undocumented, it's about status that will be used for valid statistics that quite frankly Democrats are going to want to have,” said Rep. Darrell Issa.

A lawsuit filed by the state of California notes the constitution requires only, "actual enumeration ...(of the) number of free persons" in each state every ten years, with no mention of citizenship.

Mayor Emanuel spoke to the meeting of officials representing 180 cities and counties, many fearing the loss of congressional seats and federal funding that follow population. The group wants a path for citizenship for immigrants now in the U.S. illegally.

“Those values are under threat today. Washington under the Trump administration has stepped back from the American dream,” Mayor Emanuel said.

The fight over the 2020 census could go all the way to the supreme court, and if Democrats retake control of the U.S. House, it's likely to be fought over there.