Trump Orders New Census Excluding Illegal Immigrants Completely/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced plans to change how the U.S. Census collects data, aiming to exclude undocumented immigrants from population counts. He claims the changes will be based on “modern day facts” and 2024 election results. The move could impact redistricting in key GOP-led states ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Census Reform Quick Looks
- Trump directs Commerce Department to change Census Bureau data collection methods.
- Seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from population counts.
- Claims data should reflect “modern day facts” and the 2024 presidential election results.
- Potential impact on redistricting in GOP-led states, especially Texas.
- Texas Republicans argue they are “entitled” to five more seats based on population growth.
- Trump is also targeting Missouri and Indiana for early redistricting.
- Move comes days after he fired BLS chief over job revisions that hurt economic claims.
- Critics warn this could politicize federal data collection and skew congressional maps.
Deep Look
Trump Moves to Alter Census Process, Exclude Undocumented Immigrants
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a controversial move that could reshape how the United States counts its population and allocates political power, President Donald Trump said Thursday he has directed the Commerce Department to revise how the U.S. Census Bureau gathers data—specifically to exclude immigrants living in the country illegally.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that the revised census would be based on “modern day facts and figures” and informed by the “results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024.” The phrasing signaled Trump’s intent to blend electoral politics with data collection processes that have historically been nonpartisan.
“People in our Country illegally will not be counted in the census going forward,” Trump posted, signaling a significant shift in a process that defines U.S. demographics, federal funding, and political representation.
Implications for Redistricting and Congressional Power
The changes come as part of Trump’s broader political strategy to reconfigure how federal data reflects American society—an effort with far-reaching consequences for redistricting and election outcomes. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census every ten years, but Trump is now pressuring Republican-led states, including Texas, to redraw congressional maps ahead of schedule.
“Texas is entitled to five more Republican seats,” Trump has claimed, urging the state to redo maps drawn just a few years ago.
Trump’s push is already influencing Missouri and Indiana, where state GOP leaders are reportedly considering early redistricting efforts. The president’s team sees the altered census data as a critical tool in bolstering Republican advantages ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Politicizing Public Data
Trump’s critics argue that his efforts mark a dangerous politicization of neutral government data. The census has long been used to distribute federal funding, draw legislative boundaries, and study issues like child poverty and healthcare access. Excluding undocumented immigrants would reduce counts in diverse, heavily populated states like California, New York, and Texas—potentially cutting federal funds and congressional seats.
Recent Firings Reflect a Broader Pattern
The announcement comes less than a week after Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), following an unexpected downward revision of employment data. The report showed employers added 258,000 fewer jobs in May and June than previously reported—undermining Trump’s narrative of an economic resurgence.
“The problem was the size of the revisions,” a White House official said. “We want accurate numbers that reflect the true state of the economy.”
This pattern—dismissing unfavorable data and replacing officials—has raised concerns among economists, civil servants, and lawmakers about whether Trump is distorting traditionally independent government metrics to align with political messaging.
Legal and Constitutional Questions Loom
While Trump’s plan echoes similar efforts from his first term—which were blocked by the Supreme Court—legal experts say the new initiative could again face constitutional challenges. The 14th Amendment requires the government to count the “whole number of persons in each State,” regardless of citizenship.
“Excluding people based on immigration status goes against over 200 years of census precedent,” said Joan Biskupic, a CNN legal analyst. “It could face immediate lawsuits.”
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