This post was written based on information available at the time of the Supreme Court’s initial ruling on the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ET AL. v. NEW YORK case. It will be updated as subsequent rulings are issued and new information becomes available. 

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling has placed a temporary block on the potential addition of a citizenship status question to the 2020 Census, but the final result is still unclear. While we await a final decision on whether or not a question about citizenship status will be added, we want to debunk any myths.

There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the census and how its data is used. The City of Philadelphia, through Philly Counts 2020, is working closely with community-based organizations and directly with residents to make sure everyone has the correct information.

Here’s what you need to know about the U.S. Census.

1. Responses to the census are confidential.
2. Census information is used for statistical purposes only.
3. The Constitution legally protects the data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.
4. Data collected through the census cannot be used against any person by any government agency or court.
5. The U.S. Census Bureau has many security measures in place to guarantee that the information collected stays safe.

Philly Counts 2020 is dedicated to building trust among our immigrant communities, and ensuring that every Philadelphia resident is counted—regardless of their status. Census data affects our city’s congressional representation and public funding for programs that impact all of our communities. This ruling won’t stop us.

What information will be collected on the 2020 Census? 

The census will collect information about your household and the people living in it, such as:

• How many people are living in your house on April 1, 2020.
• Whether your home is owned or rented.
• Gender, age, race, ethnic group, relationship, and (potentially) citizenship status of each individual.

The U.S. Census Bureau will never ask for your social security number, money, donations, or bank and credit card numbers.  If that happens, you may be a victim of a scam, and you must report it. To report a scam, call 215-717-1800 or 1-800-262-4236 or send an email to Philadelphia.Regional.Office@census.gov.

What can you do? 

As a Philadelphian, you can be a part of this historical event by taking a number of actions.

1. Help spread the word about the census and encourage your community’s participation. Follow @uscensusbureau and #PhillyCounts for the latest news and updates.
2. Become a trusted messenger by signing up for a training session hosted by Philly Counts. You’ll learn how to talk about the census, answer hard questions and why it matters for all.
3. Apply for a job with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Contact Philly311 if you would like to learn more about the City’s efforts to ensure the most complete and accurate count possible.