Census for citizens only proposed by Trump, potentially contradicting constitutional requirements
In a move that could reshape political representation and resource distribution, President Donald Trump has proposed a new census that would count only U.S. citizens, excluding undocumented immigrants for the first time in American history.
The proposed census, which Trump suggested might be initiated before 2030, is a radical departure from the constitutional precedent and current practice. The Constitution mandates a census every 10 years and requires counting "the whole number of persons in each State." This requirement has historically included all residents, regardless of legal status, as mandated by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Legal experts and civil rights groups argue that Trump’s plan would violate the Constitution and federal law. They are likely to challenge it in court, citing the 14th Amendment's requirement to count the "whole number of persons in each state," which includes all residents, not just citizens.
The potential implications of this proposal are far-reaching. Excluding non-citizens could shift political representation and funding away from states and districts with larger immigrant populations, likely benefiting Republican-leaning and non-Hispanic white populations.
Moreover, a mid-decade census or count, as suggested by Trump, raises questions about its feasibility and legality. The President lacks direct authority to change how the Census Bureau conducts the count without congressional authorization.
The census count determines congressional apportionment and the allocation of federal funds. Excluding non-citizens could potentially lead to places with more non-citizens losing funding. The population of each state, as determined by the census, is used to determine the number of seats it gets in the House of Representatives.
This proposal has sparked a political debate, with Democrats threatening to retaliate by rejiggering district lines in blue states, particularly California. A mid-decade count could also be aimed at helping Republican-run states, such as Texas, redraw their congressional maps early to benefit GOP candidates in the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal is not without controversy within the government. The House committee has issued subpoenas for Epstein files and depositions with the Clintons as part of an ongoing investigation involving a person who brought criminal cases against Trump.
While Trump did not specify if he is proposing a shift for the 2030 census or a mid-decade count, which is not authorized by the Constitution, any changes to the census could have significant political and economic impacts. The exact nature and timing of this proposed census remain uncertain, especially regarding whether a mid-decade count will actually be launched by the administration.
[1] New York Daily News, Aug. 3, 2025, article on the ongoing investigation. [2] Federal courts rejected Trump’s effort to exclude non-citizens from the 2020 Census, citing the Constitution. [3] Government agencies use census figures to allocate funds for various programs to states and regions. [4] Within states, census figures are used to draw districts of roughly equal population for electoral purposes.
- The proposed change in the U.S. census to count only citizens could potentially alter policy-and-legislation, as it might lead to redistribution of political representation and funding, particularly impacting states with larger immigrant populations, thereby becoming a contentious point in politics.
- The debate over the proposed census that would exclude non-citizens is not just limited to the politics sphere, but also extends to general-news, as legal experts, civil rights groups, and government agencies grapple with its constitutionality and feasibility, while also considering its far-reaching implications for the allocation of federal funds and congressional apportionment.
