Judge: Census question might have discriminatory motive

BALTIMORE (AP) — A U.S. judge says new evidence paints a "disturbing picture" that racial discrimination may be the motive behind the Trump administration's push to ask everyone in the country about citizenship status.

Last week, U.S. District Judge George Hazel of Maryland ruled that plaintiffs have produced enough evidence to warrant reopening a case focused on whether a proposed 2020 census question violates minorities' rights.

In a court filing Monday that explains his ruling, Hazel wrote that new evidence "potentially connects the dots between a discriminatory purpose" and a decision by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to ask the citizenship question.

Voting rights activists have argued newly discovered emails show the citizenship question is intended to discriminate.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide this week whether the controversial question should be included.