Make Allegiances Clear Again Act; MACA Act
Summary
The Make Allegiances Clear Again Act (MACA Act) proposes to amend Title 13 of the United States Code, requiring the Bureau of the Census to collect information on dual citizenship status during the decennial census, starting in 2030. This would involve adding a checkbox to census questionnaires for respondents to indicate if they or members of their household are citizens of both the United States and another country, specifying which country. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the MACA Act would change the data collected during the decennial census. The Census Bureau would be mandated to gather information about dual citizenship status. This data could then be used for various purposes by the government, potentially impacting policy decisions related to immigration, national security, and resource allocation.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially provides more comprehensive demographic data for policy-making.
- Could improve understanding of the dual citizenship population in the US.
- May assist in identifying potential national security risks, although this is a contentious point.
- Could inform resource allocation based on the needs of dual citizens.
- May enhance the accuracy of demographic projections.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Raises privacy concerns regarding the collection of citizenship data.
- Could lead to discrimination or profiling based on dual citizenship status.
- May discourage participation in the census, leading to inaccurate population counts.
- Potential for increased administrative burden and costs for the Census Bureau.
- Could be perceived as an attempt to target or marginalize dual citizens.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The constitutionality of the MACA Act is debatable. While Article I, Section 2, mandates the enumeration of the population, the specific questions asked are subject to interpretation. The collection of dual citizenship data could potentially infringe upon individual liberties and privacy rights, raising concerns under the Fourth Amendment. However, the government may argue that such data collection is necessary for national security or other compelling interests.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).