The Trump administration has proposed significant changes to the decennial U.S. Census that could exclude millions of residents, reshape congressional representation, and alter the allocation of federal funds across states. The proposal, posted to the federal register on Wednesday, includes adding a citizenship question to the census questionnaire and limiting the collection of certain demographic data, including information on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

The administration argues that undocumented immigrants and noncitizens without permanent residency should be excluded from the population count because they "are not true inhabitants, members of the body politic, or persons with a ‘usual residence’ in the United States due to their lack of a sufficient tie and allegiance to the United States." The proposal specifically states that refugees and asylum seekers would also be excluded from the census tally. Additionally, it seeks to prohibit the Census Bureau from asking questions about race and ethnicity, contending that the census "should be colorblind" and not influenced by questions about "immaterial personal characteristics." The census has collected data on these categories since 1790.

This move comes amid ongoing national debates over redistricting and federal funding distribution. Census data determine how the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned among the states and influence billions in federal resources. President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of citizenship data for congressional districting and federal appropriations, stating in 2019, "You need it for Congress for districting... You need it for many reasons."

However, the proposed changes face strong legal and public opposition. The U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment requires that congressional representation be based on the "whole number of persons in each state," without distinguishing citizenship or immigration status. The Supreme Court previously blocked a similar citizenship question planned for the 2020 Census, citing a “contrived” justification from the administration. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who challenged the prior effort, has expressed intent to pursue legal action against the new proposal as well, asserting that every person residing in the U.S. must be counted regardless of immigration status.

Critics argue that excluding noncitizens and removing demographic questions could result in significant undercounts in certain communities, affecting political representation and federal funding for critical programs. Civil rights and public health advocates warn that eliminating race and ethnicity data would hamper efforts to address disparities in health, education, and economic opportunity. They contend that without accurate data, identifying and remedying inequities becomes more difficult, potentially widening existing gaps.

The administration’s proposal is expected to ignite further legal challenges and debates over the fundamental role of the census in reflecting the nation’s diverse population.