Breaking from long-standing practice, President Trump announced via Truth Social today that he plans to launch a new U.S. census that deliberately excludes non-citizens. This bold move signals an abrupt departure from more than two centuries of census tradition.
A Constitutional Pivot and a Breakdown in Precedent
Since the very first census in 1790 - ordered under President Washington and carried out by marshals - this once-a-decade headcount has counted everyone living in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status, as required by the Constitution.
Over time, this count has become vital, determining congressional representation, Electoral College votes, and distribution of federal resources. Notably, the 2020 Census guided how more than $675 billion in annual federal funding was allocated.
Trump’s announcement echoes earlier, unsuccessful attempts to add a citizenship question or exclude undocumented immigrants from counts used for apportionment.
Legal challenges have consistently struck down those efforts, citing them as direct conflicts with constitutional protections requiring a “whole person” count.
Why It Matters for Texas
If implemented, this exclusion could reshape the political and funding landscape - especially in states like Texas, where immigrant populations significantly contribute to census totals. An undercount could strip away congressional seats, federal dollars, and local infrastructure funding, while powering a contentious legal battle all the way to the courts.
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