President Trump's Census Directive
President Donald Trump has issued a directive to revise the upcoming U.S. census with the goal of excluding undocumented immigrants from the count. Announced via his Truth Social platform, this move aligns with conservative efforts to count only legal residents, while Democrats argue it undermines constitutional principles.
Trump's Statement and Next Steps
In his statement, Trump declared, “Individuals residing illegally in our country WILL NOT be included in the census count.” He directed the Department of Commerce to initiate work on a new census methodology, claiming it would offer enhanced accuracy based on current data, including insights from the 2024 Presidential Election. If enacted, this approach could potentially decrease congressional representation for states with high immigrant populations.
Reactions from Democratic Leaders
Democratic leaders swiftly criticized the order, deeming it unconstitutional. Representative Jerry Nadler of New York stated, “This action violates the Constitution, which mandates a decennial census counting every person in the nation, regardless of citizenship status.” Nadle...