With preparations for the 2030 census already underway, Trump said Thursday he has instructed his administration to start work on a “new” census.

According to a social media post by Trump, that census would exclude millions of people living in the country without legal status — an unprecedented change to how the country has conducted population tallies since the first U.S. census in 1790.

The 14th Amendment requires the “whole number of persons in each state” to be included in a key set of census numbers used to determine how presidents and members of Congress are elected.

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    2·
    2 days ago

    It’s not optional. https://legalinsights.us/do-you-have-to-fill-out-the-census-legal-requirements-explained/

    Every ten years, households across the United States receive a request to complete the U.S. Census—a nationwide count shaping political representation and federal funding. While many respond readily, questions arise about whether participation is legally required and the consequences of non-compliance. This article examines the legal obligations surrounding the census.

    Mandatory Nature and Relevant Legal Obligations Participation in the decennial census is a legal duty originating from the U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 2 mandates an “actual Enumeration” every decade, empowering Congress to establish the method.

    Congress fulfilled this through federal law, primarily Title 13 of the United States Code, which governs the census. Section 141 directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the count.1 Other sections detail respondent responsibilities. Crucially, Title 13 requires all persons residing in the United States on Census Day (April 1st) to respond. This includes citizens, legal residents, long-term visitors, and undocumented immigrants. The legal framework confirms the compulsory nature of census participation.