Politics

Judge OKs Lawsuit Challenging Citizenship Question On 2020 Census

The judge allowed the lawsuit to move forward amid "strong" evidence the Trump administration acted in bad faith.

Judge OKs Lawsuit Challenging Citizenship Question On 2020 Census
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A federal judge has given the green light to a lawsuit challenging a new question about citizenship on the 2020 census. 

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood's office filed the suit on behalf of a coalition of multiple states and cities earlier this year. 

Underwood said in a statement the judge allowed the lawsuit to move forward amid "strong" evidence the Trump administration acted in bad faith in its efforts to include the controversial citizenship question.

The White House says the question is necessary for the Department of Justice to protect voters. But critics argue it's meant to intimidate immigrants and threaten civil rights.

Questions relating to a person's citizenship haven't appeared on the U.S. census since 1950.