Trump Administration Proposes New Census Rule
The proposal would exclude non-citizens from the 2030 U.S. census population count.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Immigration
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The Trump Administration announced a rule in September 2026 to exclude non-citizens and non-permanent residents from the U.S. Census. The agency is currently planning the 2030 survey which will determine the nation's official population count.
Why it matters
The change would mark a significant departure from standard census operations by altering the demographic data collected and the specific groups included in the final count. This shift could impact how population totals are utilized for resource allocation and political representation across the United States.
The U.S. Census Bureau is moving forward with planning for the 2030 census under this new framework. The proposed rule explicitly mandates the removal of data collection regarding race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
The players
Trump Administration
The current executive branch led by President Donald Trump is responsible for establishing federal policy and regulatory direction.
U.S. Census Bureau
This federal agency is tasked with conducting the decennial survey of the population and collecting demographic data on the nation.
The details
The proposal specifically targets immigrants who lack citizenship or permanent residency status for exclusion from the final count. Additionally, the rule would cease the collection of data points previously used to track national trends in race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Timeline
The proposed census rule was announced in September 2026.
The U.S. Census Bureau is scheduled to conduct the next census in 2030.
Political Context
The proposal contradicts the 14th Amendment's mandate for an actual enumeration of all persons in each state. Critics and opposition lawmakers have signaled that such a shift departs from historical precedents and faces significant constitutional challenges.
Residents may see changes in how local population statistics are reported and how federal resources are allocated to their communities. These census changes could ultimately influence the demographic data used for district planning and local service funding.
The takeaway
The upcoming 2030 census faces a fundamental shift in how the nation tracks its residents and demographic composition. Stakeholders should monitor future administrative filings for clarification on how these changes will be applied to specific population groups.
Further reading
Find more analysis on the latest policy debates in the Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MPR News.
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Do you support the federal government collecting detailed race and ethnic data during the national census?
