Trump Pushes for Census to Exclude Illegal Immigrants

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Amid national debates over redistricting continue, former President Donald Trump recently stated that the next U.S. census should not include individuals who are in the country illegally. Trump called this plan a move toward a “highly accurate” count. 

“I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024. People who are in our Country illegally WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS.” 

The U.S. Constitution requires a census every ten years, under Article I, Section 2: 

“The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” 

Trump’s statement comes as the country faces ongoing challenges related to immigration. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported about 11 million encounters with people entering the country illegally between October 2019 and June 2024.  

These figures have raised concerns, especially in states like California, Maryland, and Vermont, where some cities allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. While it remains illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, some worry about how these policies affect the accuracy of voter rolls and the integrity of elections. 

Supporters of Trump’s directive argue that counting illegal immigrants in the census may unfairly increase political power in areas with higher noncitizen populations. They believe that representation in Congress and the allocation of federal funding should reflect citizens, not noncitizens. The question is not about judging individuals but about ensuring fair and accurate representation. 

So far, no official timeline has been released for when the directive might take effect. The next U.S. census is scheduled for 2030. 

In Texas, population growth has been significant. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that from 2020 to 2025, the state gained approximately 2.14 million new residents—a 6.9% increase. At the same time, the Texas Tribune reports there are about 1.7 million illegal immigrants currently living in Texas, or roughly 5.5% of the state’s population. 

It’s unclear how many of those 1.7 million were already in Texas before the last census in 2020. However, data from the Cato Institute estimates that between 5.5 and 6 million immigrants entered the U.S. during the Biden administration from 2021 to 2024. These numbers are big, whether it is legal or illegal entrance.  

Supporters of more accurate population counts say requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections could help ensure fairness. While the census does not directly affect who can vote, it does impact how congressional seats and federal funds are divided. 

Citizens concerned about accurate representation are encouraged to contact their elected officials to support laws that protect voting rights and require proof of citizenship where appropriate. Arizona sent proposition 200 to their ballot in 2004, but it was later struck down by a federal court because it was “preempted by the National Voter Registration Act” (NVRA) according to the Washington Post. Indiana and Wyoming are among a select few states that have passed laws requiring proof of citizenship on some voter registrations.  

There is a federal bill that has passed the House of Representatives but is now in the Senate for debate. If passed, it will require all states to ensure that their voters prove their citizenship to vote in federal election only. Such legislation would solve the concern that the states are looking for solutions to, however, if the bill does not pass, states are left to lay down those boundaries themselves. 

These examples highlight how crucial is it that our civil leaders introduce legislation to ensure American voters are accurate represented.  

Clear, accurate numbers matter—especially when it comes to representation in government. Ensuring the census reflects the lawful population could be key to protecting the integrity of the American republic. 

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