The Trump administration has introduced a proposal to alter the United States census by excluding undocumented immigrants from the population count. This potential change could have significant implications for the distribution of federal resources and the delineation of congressional districts. While lawful permanent residents would still be included in the count, undocumented immigrants and certain other non-permanent immigration categories may be left out, according to the proposal.
The Census Bureau is evaluating the use of government administrative records to ascertain the legal status of individuals counted in the census. Traditionally, the US census, conducted every decade, has tallied all individuals residing in the country, irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status. The data collected from the census are crucial for allocating federal funding and determining the number of seats each state holds in the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the administration is considering revising questions related to race and ethnicity on the census form. This consideration stems from concerns about the relevance and sensitivity of the current questions. Any modifications to these questions could impact demographic data that is essential for government and policy-making decisions.
The proposed changes are likely to face legal opposition from Democrats and advocacy groups. These opponents argue that the US Constitution mandates the census to count every person living in the country. They are expected to mount legal challenges against the proposal, asserting that it contravenes constitutional requirements.