Draft Census Rule Would Exclude Undocumented Immigrants and Omit Race, Sexual Orientation Questions

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a draft rule that, according to a review by WIRED, would exclude undocumented immigrants from the official population count. In addition, the proposal would eliminate questions on race and sexual orientation, citing the need to “protect against distortions.”

The changes would alter the data that underpins congressional apportionment, federal funding allocations, and a host of public‑policy decisions. By removing undocumented residents and demographic questions, the Census could produce a less detailed picture of the nation’s diversity, raising concerns among advocacy groups and policymakers about potential impacts on representation and resource distribution.

The draft is currently under public review, and the Census Bureau has not yet finalized the rule. Stakeholders are monitoring the proposal closely, as its adoption would reshape how the country measures itself for the first time in over a decade.