Edith Hejberg
President Donald Trump announced he has ordered the Department of Commerce to begin preparations for a new U.S. census that would exclude undocumented immigrants from the count
In a Truth Social post, he said the census would be “highly accurate” and based on “modern day facts and figures” as well as results from the 2024 presidential election.
A Break from Longstanding Census Practice
For over two centuries, the U.S. census has counted all residents regardless of immigration status.
Trump’s proposal would mark a major departure, sparking debate over constitutional requirements and the potential political consequences of such a change.
Political Stakes for the 2026 Midterms
The move comes as the White House pressures Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Excluding undocumented immigrants could shift political power, potentially benefiting GOP-leaning states.
Timing and Constitutional Questions
Trump’s post did not clarify whether the plan is aimed at altering the 2030 census or conducting an entirely new count beforehand.
The Constitution mandates a nationwide census every ten years, counting “the whole number of persons in each State,” as specified in the 14th Amendment.
Potential Impact on Representation
Adjusting census methodology could significantly alter congressional representation and federal funding distribution. Population shifts already forecast that several House seats could move from Democratic-leaning states to Republican ones over the next decade.
Experts Warn of Legal and Logistical Hurdles
Jeffrey Wice, a New York Law School professor, stressed that a president cannot unilaterally order a new census for reapportionment.
Even if Congress approved it, the process would require massive resources and likely face intense legal challenges.
Unclear Methodology Raises Concerns
Trump suggested incorporating 2024 election results into the new count, but experts say that is legally and practically impossible.
Wice criticized the idea as “not practical or logical” and said the Census Bureau already uses modern, reliable methods without political influence.
Echoes of Trump’s First-Term Efforts
This is not Trump’s first attempt to reshape the census. During his first term, he pushed to add a citizenship question to the 2020 survey, arguing it was needed for voting rights enforcement.
The Supreme Court blocked the move, citing flawed reasoning.
Other Republicans Join the Call
Several Republicans have recently advocated for a citizen-only count. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed legislation to that effect, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis argued his state should have gained more congressional seats after 2020 and supported a recount before 2026.
Part of a Larger Pattern of Challenging Data
Trump’s census push follows his recent firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, whom he accused, without evidence, of manipulating jobs reports.
Critics see these moves as part of a broader effort to question the credibility of nonpartisan government data.
