In an unexpected move, former President Donald Trump has called for a new census that would exclude immigrants in the U.S. illegally from the population count—a measure with significant implications for political representation and federal funding. His instructions to the Commerce Department could potentially disrupt long-established procedures, raising questions about the feasibility and legality of such an endeavor.
While Trump’s announcement indicates a desire for a census based on “modern-day facts,” the logistics of implementing a mid-decade census are complicated, to say the least. Experts argue that it would be a near-impossible task. The U.S. census is a colossal, once-in-a-decade event, requiring extensive planning, a massive temporary workforce, and, most importantly, legal authorization. The Census Act mandates that any changes to the census must be approved by Congress. Additionally, the 14th Amendment requires that “the whole number of persons in each state” be counted for apportionment, including those without legal status, a point that has been upheld by courts multiple times.
In the past, Trump’s administration faced significant legal hurdles when attempting to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. That effort was blocked by the Supreme Court, and any similar attempts would almost certainly prompt fresh legal challenges. The push to exclude undocumented immigrants from census figures is seen by critics as part of a broader effort to skew political representation and federal resource distribution in favor of certain groups.
The census, beyond just congressional apportionment, is a vital tool for allocating over $2.8 trillion in annual federal funding for healthcare, education, transportation, and more. Trump’s motives, according to some critics, could be rooted in a strategy to reshape the electoral landscape, especially as redistricting discussions heat up in key states.
While Trump’s call for a new census may have sparked controversy, the reality of its execution remains uncertain—both in terms of legal feasibility and political implications.
