[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision on the Census Bureau’s addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. Statements from Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Attorney General Keith Ellison on the decision are below:

“While I’m disappointed that the Supreme Court did not definitively rule against the citizenship question today, this is a step in the right direction. The Court’s decision acknowledges that the Census Bureau failed to provide an adequate explanation for including a question on citizenship,” said Governor Walz. “This fight will continue. Despite the already chilling effect from the debate surrounding the citizenship question, our administration is dedicated to ensuring that every Minnesotan is counted and respected, regardless of their immigration status, and we are committed to protecting all Minnesotans.” 

“To every Minnesotan: we see you, we hear you, we value you as a member of our community, and we will continue doing everything we can to ensure you are counted,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Since the Census is integral to ensuring that Minnesotans receive the representation and resources that they need to thrive, someone’s immigration status should not influence a complete count. The Governor and I are proud of the $1.8 million the Minnesota Legislature has invested into Census awareness and mobilization. This work will be crucial to educate and reassure communities so that Minnesota will have a complete count.” 

“Every Minnesotan counts, every Minnesotan matters. This means every Minnesotan, no matter their citizenship or immigration status, must be counted,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I’m glad the Supreme Court saw through the Administration’s attempt to skirt the law to keep people it doesn’t care for from being counted. But the fight isn’t over. My office will continue to use every legal recourse to keep this clearly prejudicial question off the Census in 2020, because all Minnesotans count.”