The Latest: Judge urges lots of access to census trial
NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on the federal trial of a lawsuit brought by states and cities opposing a Commerce Department decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census (all times local):
7:20 p.m.
A New York judge hearing legal challenges to a decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census has told lawyers to put as much as possible on the public record because of high interest.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman told lawyers Monday as a trial began to publicly file summaries of interviews lawyers conducted with witnesses.
He says public access to court documents is important because of interest in the case.
A dozen states and big cities, among others, are challenging inclusion of the question.
Furman is hearing the case without a jury. He acknowledged the Justice Department objects to the trial. Its lawyers say Furman should base his ruling solely on the administrative record rather than testimony and newly unearthed evidence.
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11 a.m.
A federal trial has begun in New York City over challenges to the federal government's decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census.
The first witness — Duke University Professor D. Sunshine Hillygus — says there is considerable evidence adding the question will depress participation by non-citizens.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman, who is hearing the case without a jury, has harshly criticized the federal government's efforts to delay or stop the trial.
He called them remarkable because government officials insist a speedy resolution of lawsuits is necessary so census preparations can proceed.
The trial stems from lawsuits brought by a dozen states and big cities, among others. They say the citizenship question will discourage immigrant participation and dilute political representation and funds for Democrat-leaning states.
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5:30 a.m.
A New York federal judge is ready to hear evidence from critics of a Commerce Department decision to put a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
The trial Monday is proceeding on schedule despite the Justice Department's invitation to the Supreme Court to block it.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman last week harshly criticized the federal government's efforts to delay or stop the trial.
He called them remarkable given that the federal government insists a speedy resolution of lawsuits is necessary because of the need to finalize census preparations.
The trial stems from lawsuits brought by a dozen states and big cities, among others. They say the citizenship question will discourage immigrants from participating and dilute political representation and funds for states that tend to vote Democratic.
