The U.S. Census Bureau's plan to incorporate a questionnaire with a citizenship question in its practice test for the 2030 census has raised concerns among congressional Democrats. They argue that this inclusion could significantly undermine the decennial headcount and deter immigrant participation. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has urged the Census Bureau to abandon the plans to utilize the American Community Survey (ACS) form, which contains the citizenship inquiry. Instead, they are advocating for a more traditional census questionnaire that excludes this question. The on-the-ground tests are scheduled to begin next month in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
In a letter addressed to acting Census Bureau Director George Cook and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Democrats emphasized the potential risks associated with the Trump Administration's policies. They argued that these policies could compromise the integrity of the 2030 census before it even commences. The Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce have not yet responded to requests for comment on the issue.
The field test is critical for the Census Bureau as it seeks to improve its counting methods for populations that were underrepresented in the previous census. The results of the headcount are vital, as they determine the allocation of congressional seats, Electoral College votes, and the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funding each year. Among the innovative methods being trialed is the involvement of U.S. Postal Service workers in roles previously designated for census workers.
Recently, the Census Bureau announced plans for a 2026 test that will still use the ACS form while also dropping four previously designated testing locations in Colorado Springs, Colorado, western North Carolina, western Texas, and tribal lands in Arizona. The Democratic representatives express concern over how the citizenship question could lead to an undercount by discouraging immigrants, including those with legal residency, from participating in the census.
In their letter, the Democrats pointed out the fears faced by many immigrants and citizens from mixed-status families—comprising green card holders and other legal permanent residents—due to the uncertainty surrounding the Trump Administration's immigration policies. They highlighted how this uncertainty could lead to chaos and fear, ultimately impacting participation in the census.
During his presidency, Donald Trump made attempts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, which were ultimately unsuccessful. His administration also issued directives aimed at excluding undocumented individuals from census figures that are used for congressional apportionment and sought to collect data on citizenship. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the effort to add the citizenship question, and both directives were rescinded after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, prior to the release of the 2020 census data.
The Constitution's 14th Amendment mandates that "the whole number of persons in each state" be counted for purposes of apportionment. The Census Bureau has interpreted this to mean that anyone residing in the U.S., irrespective of their legal status, should be included in the headcount.
In a related matter, a federal lawsuit in Louisiana has raised questions about counting criteria for the upcoming census. The Department of Commerce announced that forthcoming guidance regarding who should be counted in the 2030 census might lead to the dismissal of a one-year-old lawsuit filed by four Republican state attorneys general. This lawsuit sought to exclude undocumented individuals from being counted in the apportionment for congressional district drawing. Government attorneys have requested that the court maintain a hold on the case while the Census Bureau resolves the crucial matter of how to categorize citizens of foreign nations residing within the U.S. for the 2030 Census.
