Reporter's notebook: In line for litigation

New Mexico is one of several states that has joined a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Commerce in order to block a question regarding citizenship from appearing on the 2020 Census.

“New Mexico will be the state hardest hit by this unconstitutional attempt to suppress participation in the Census, and we cannot afford to lose billions of dollars in Medicaid and other federal funds that will result,” New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said via press release.

“Immigration status is irrelevant to the Census, and I will aggressively fight against this attempt to intimidate New Mexican families.”

In addition to the Land of Enchantment, 15 states, six cities, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Conference of Mayors also joined the lawsuit.

According to NPR, “if the 2020 Census form does ultimately ask about citizenship status, it will be the first time the question will be asked of all U.S. households since 1950.”

— Compiled by Staff Writer Jamie Cushman