On September 9, the Trump administration released its proposed changes for the 2030 census. The proposed changes could affect the population numbers used to determine the number of representatives in Congress, distribution of funding for public services, and enforcement of civil rights laws. Key changes include:
- Changing the definition of “usual residence” – This proposed change would remove undocumented immigrants from the count used to divide seats in the House of Representatives. However, the new definition may not apply to all living situations (i.e. second homes, students in college, unhoused individuals, etc.) and could lead to miscounts or double counts.
- Removing certain demographic questions – This proposed change would not allow questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation on the short-form census form or other population count questionnaires. Demographic questions are used for redistricting and to help enforce the Voting Rights Act and other civil rights laws. Demographic data is also key public health data.
- Excluding legally–present immigrants without legal permanent residence – This proposed change would not include immigrants who are legally in the country but do not have lawful permanent resident status. In the previous census from 2020, foreign citizens were counted where they lived and slept, regardless of whether they were legally present. Foreign citizens merely visiting the country were not included in the census data. The proposal would change how the government determines who counts as part of a state’s population. The 14th Amendment states that House of Representative seats are determined by “counting the whole number of persons in each State” without consideration of citizenship or immigration status.
Timeline and Next Steps
The proposed changes are not final. The Census Bureau is collecting public comments through October 13, 2026. After the comment period ends, and after review, a final rule will be released.
