José E. Serrano: “I have a concern that the 4 million American citizens who live in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are never included in…”

“I have a concern that the 4 million American citizens who live in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are never included in any of the data that the census puts forth. This year Puerto Rico will be counted with the same form that is being used throughout the 50 States. What I am hopeful will come out of some conversations I am having with the chairman and with the chairman of the census subcommittee, is that when we look at figures concerning the 50 States that we take one step further and say this census is not only to count the people within the States, it is to count all American citizens. Because how ironic it is, Mr. Chairman, that there will be people in New York State, in my district, counted in this census who are not American citizens. Some will be counted, and it is fine with me, who are not legally in the country, and yet Puerto Ricans who live on the island, American citizens, will not be included in the census data products. Mr. Chairman, that is what I am trying to accomplish, and I hope that is part of this overall conversation.”