- August 15, 2025
Proposal to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from Census Sparks Concerns Over Impact on Texas Representation and Funding
Austin, Texas — A recent analysis published by The Texas Tribune reveals that President Trump has directed the Commerce Department to begin preparations for a new census that would exclude undocumented immigrants—a significant deviation from the longstanding practice of counting all residents regardless of legal status.
With an estimated 1.7 million undocumented immigrants residing in Texas, such a move could dramatically reduce the state’s political representation and federal funding, undermining both congressional apportionment and allocation of vital resources.
According to the article:
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Trump’s administration is motivated by a desire to shift political power—especially Electoral College influence—to Republican-controlled states and away from Democratic strongholds.
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While Texas may gain additional congressional seats based on growth projections, excluding undocumented residents could offset those gains or diminish the state’s clout.
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Experts warn the proposal is likely unconstitutional, citing the 14th Amendment’s mandate to count the “whole number of persons in each state”.
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Demographers also point to logistical hurdles—the Census Bureau is already deep into planning for the 2030 count, and mid-decade revisions of this scale are virtually unprecedented.
Key Issues at Stake
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Political Representation | Excluding undocumented individuals could diminish Texas’s number of House seats and related Electoral College votes. |
| Federal Funding | Resource distributions based on census data—across healthcare, education, infrastructure—may be adversely affected. |
| Legal Validity | Constitutional scholars argue that a census excluding residents would violate federal law and historical precedent. |
| Operational Feasibility | Implementing such a census mid-decade presents severe logistical and procedural challenges, with no established framework to guide it. |
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Uphold Constitutional Integrity: Lawmakers and advocacy organizations must ensure that census practices remain legally sound and inclusive of all residents.
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Protect Texas’s Interests: Coordinated efforts are needed to safeguard Texas’s representation and funding stability.
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Advance Legal Preparedness: Stakeholders should prepare to challenge any policy that violates the 14th Amendment or oversteps executive authority.