During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the implications of counting non-citizens in the U.S. Census. A key focus was the 2020 Census and how it accounts for individuals who are not U.S. citizens, including undocumented immigrants.

One participant questioned the director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Mr. Santos, about whether the Census Bureau identifies the immigration or citizenship status of individuals surveyed. Santos confirmed that the Bureau does not specifically identify citizenship status during the census. He stated that individuals living at a residence are counted, regardless of their immigration status.

The conversation highlighted that undocumented immigrants are included in the census count if they reside at a U.S. address. This raised concerns about the political implications of such counts, particularly regarding congressional apportionment and the electoral college. Santos acknowledged that the population counts from the census, which include undocumented immigrants, do influence how congressional seats are allocated.

One participant expressed frustration, suggesting that counting undocumented immigrants could unfairly impact the drawing of congressional districts. They argued that this could lead to a disproportionate representation in areas with high numbers of undocumented residents.

Another speaker, Ms. Crockett from Texas, pointed out the need for better understanding among lawmakers about the purpose of the census. She noted that there are ongoing discussions about immigration policies, including potential mass deportations, which could further affect the population counts in future censuses.

Overall, the meeting underscored the complexities surrounding the census and its role in shaping political representation in the United States. The inclusion of non-citizens in the census remains a contentious issue, with significant implications for congressional representation and electoral politics.