The Trump administration is considering significant changes to the U.S. Census, which could lead to millions of immigrants being left out based on their immigration status. These proposed alterations could also impact vital racial and ethnic data, potentially affecting resource distribution and the political landscape of the country.
Announced recently, the suggestions include excluding undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and individuals without permanent status from the census count. Moreover, traditional demographic questions surrounding race and ethnicity might be removed altogether.
This proposal mirrors a previous attempt by Trump to add a citizenship question to the 2030 census. The U.S. Census Bureau stated that individuals deemed “illegal aliens” should not be part of the apportionment count, as they do not represent full members of the U.S. society. The Bureau also suggested that the census should remain “colorblind” and not include questions about race or other personal characteristics.
Experts have expressed concern over the potential negative impact of these changes. Beth Jarosz, a data researcher and vice president of the Association of Public Data Users, described the proposals as “unprecedented.” She emphasized that not counting everyone who resides in the U.S. poses a significant risk. “If you think about all the ways that census data are used,” she explained, “the implications are serious.”
Census data is crucial for determining how many representatives each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, which in turn affects the number of votes in the Electoral College. An inaccurate count could dilute political power and representation for many communities.
Historically, the decennial census has not focused on people’s citizenship status. While citizenship may be addressed in the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, it has not been a primary focus of the census itself. Accurate counts of immigrants are essential for allocating resources during public health emergencies or natural disasters. Jarosz noted, “If you don’t have a count of everyone who’s there, you won’t have the resources you need,” which endangers everyone.
Data regarding race and ethnicity has been collected in the census since 1790. Since 2000, respondents have been able to identify as more than one race. According to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center, the number of multiracial people in the U.S. was growing at a rate three times faster than the general population. By 2020, over 33.8 million Americans identified as multiracial.
This racial and ethnic data is vital for researchers studying issues like discrimination, crime rates, and wealth disparities in communities of color. Advocacy groups like Stop AAPI Hate and AAPI Equity Alliance rely on accurate census data to serve Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of these organizations, stated that the proposed changes would significantly affect the populations they represent. “Excluding crucial demographic data sends a message that these communities don’t matter,” she said.
The absence of comprehensive data could hinder lawmakers, healthcare providers, and community advocates from making informed decisions. Jarosz warned, “These changes are like trying to land an airplane when you are in thick fog and someone has thrown paint across the front window and your instruments are not working.”
