ALBANY, N.Y. -- A more accurate count in the 2020 Census is needed, say Albany lawmakers and good-government leaders, who are working on legislation and also want the state to back a $2 million campaign to ensure every New Yorkers is counted.

Due to sluggish population growth, the state's representation in Washington could erode even further into the next decade. After the 2010 Census, New York lost two congressional seats because the state's population did not keep pace with the rest of the country.

There's an added concern for New York in the looming 2020 Census that some residents may be undercounted, as lawmakers say newly arrived or undocumented immigrants are at risk for missing the head count. Assemblyman Marcos Crespo says an inaccurate count wouldn't just impact urban communities, but have a statewide effect. 

"All of us have a reason to care deeply about the success of a proper count -- making sure New York state doesn't continue to give up billions of dollars in resources in particular at a time when this administration has demonstrated a disdain for states like New York," said Crespo, D-Bronx.

Crespo says this is not at all a mostly-New York City issue, as the Census determines New York's pull in Congress.

"This is an impact to upstate New York, this is an impact to New York City. This is an impact to Long Island. This is an impact to every community, every district," Crespo said.

For immigrant communities, the concern could stem from a federal government that is increasingly taking a tougher approach on enforcing immigration laws. In turn, advocates fear these residents would avoid speaking to federal officials, including Census takers. But the Census won't be used as an enforcement mechanism.

"It's not a matter of targeting one specific population, one specific municipality, but really taking the aggregate of the count, of everyone who lives in New York state," said Roberto Frugone, northeast director of National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Then there's the concern that the Census itself may be at risk for losing federal funds and won't be promoted enough.

"The bureau can't wait. It's underfunded. It's at the lowest point of funding in 2017-2018 then at any point in the last four Census cycles," said Jeff Wice, a fellow with the Rockefeller Institute.