Trump Calls for New Census Excluding Illegal Immigrants, Citing 2024 Election Data

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President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has directed the U.S. Department of Commerce to initiate a new population census, aiming to produce a “highly accurate” count based on contemporary data and informed by the results of the 2024 presidential election. His statement, posted on the social media platform Truth Social, specifically emphasized that individuals residing in the United States illegally will not be included in the new 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,” Trump wrote.

The U.S. Census is a nationwide population survey traditionally conducted every 10 years. Its primary function is to determine how Congressional districts are apportioned and how federal funding is distributed across states. The last official census was completed in 2020, and its data was used to redraw district maps for the 2022 midterm elections. Although mid-decade redistricting is uncommon, some states are currently revisiting their maps.

Trump’s announcement coincides with renewed redistricting activity in Texas. State Republicans have moved to revise the existing Congressional map, prompting Texas Democrats to walk out of the legislature in an attempt to prevent a quorum and stall the process. Without the minimum number of lawmakers present, the state cannot proceed with a vote.

The redistricting effort in Texas has triggered similar movements in other states. California and New York officials have indicated plans to adjust their own maps, in part to counterbalance projected Democratic seat losses in Texas. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is reportedly traveling to Indiana to consult with Governor Mike Braun about the possibility of securing an additional Republican-leaning district.

The question of whether to include non-citizens or undocumented immigrants in the census has been a contentious issue in past cycles. During Trump’s first term, his administration attempted to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census but was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court. Critics argued the question would depress participation and skew the results, especially in states with large immigrant populations.

Trump’s renewed call for an exclusionary census reflects an ongoing push within Republican circles to reshape political representation around citizenship status rather than total population. Such a move would have far-reaching implications for states with large numbers of undocumented residents, potentially shifting Congressional representation and federal funding away from urban, immigrant-heavy regions.

At present, the U.S. Constitution mandates that Congressional apportionment be based on the “whole number of persons in each state,” a phrase long interpreted to include both citizens and non-citizens. Any attempt to conduct a separate or revised census would likely face legal challenges and scrutiny over its constitutionality and purpose.

The Department of Commerce has not yet issued a formal response to Trump’s directive.