Democrats Warn Citizenship Question Could Derail 2030 Census Test

Lawmakers say the Trump-era policy could scare away immigrants from participating.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Congressional Democrats have urged the U.S. Census Bureau to drop plans to use a questionnaire with a citizenship question as part of its practice test for the 2030 census, warning it could jeopardize the once-a-decade head count and deter immigrants from participating.

Why it matters

The census determines how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets, as well as how $2.8 trillion in federal funding is distributed annually. Undercounting immigrant populations could have significant political and financial consequences for states and communities.

The details

The Census Bureau plans to use the American Community Survey form, which includes a citizenship question, for on-the-ground tests in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, starting next month. Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform say this could 'fatally compromise the 2030 count before it even begins' by scaring away immigrants, including legal residents, from participating.

  • The 2026 census test is scheduled to begin next month.
  • The 2030 census is the next decennial count.

The players

U.S. Census Bureau

The federal agency responsible for conducting the decennial census and other surveys.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

A congressional committee that oversees the federal government, including the Census Bureau.

George Cook

The acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Howard Lutnick

The Commerce Secretary, whose department oversees the Census Bureau.

Donald Trump

The former president who unsuccessfully tried to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census.

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What’s next

The Census Bureau and Commerce Department have not yet responded to requests for comment on the Democrats' concerns. The 2026 census test is scheduled to begin next month in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions around the census and the potential consequences of policies that could deter immigrant participation. The accuracy of the census is critical for fair political representation and the distribution of federal funds, so any factors that could lead to an undercount are closely scrutinized.