U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Commerce Department to begin work on a new census that would exclude undocumented immigrants. He announced this plan on social media, stating the census should be based on updated information and the results of the 2024 election.
This decision challenges the U.S. Census Bureau’s long tradition of counting every person living in the country, regardless of immigration status. The census plays a key role in dividing 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among all 50 states every ten years.
Trump’s announcement comes as tensions over redistricting rise, especially in Texas. Republicans are pushing a new congressional map that could give them up to five House seats. In protest, Texas Democrats fled the state to block the vote, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to seek legal action against them. Democratic governors in blue states like New York and California have threatened to respond with their own redistricting changes. As both parties gear up for the 2026 elections, the census and redistricting fights could significantly impact political power in the U.S.
