NPR: 2026 Census Test Forms to Feature Citizenship Question
In a significant move related to the 2030 Census preparations, the U.S. Census Bureau may include a citizenship question in its upcoming field test. This proposal comes from regulatory filings submitted by the Trump administration, initiating discussions about how citizenship status will be represented.
Field Test Details
The field test, scheduled to occur between April and September 2026, will involve approximately 155,000 households in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. The objective is to gather data that will inform the 2030 Census methodology. The test will not affect congressional representation or funding distributions immediately.
Proposal Background
This initiative follows President Trump’s earlier advocacy for a “new” census that could exclude individuals without legal immigration status. Recently, many Republican lawmakers have backed similar proposals, raising concerns about the potential impact on census accuracy.
Legal Implications
- Multiple GOP-led states have filed lawsuits demanding the exclusion of non-U.S. citizens from census counts.
- Missouri’s case argues for the exclusion of all individuals without legal status from federal statistics.
The 14th Amendment mandates that census counts include everyone residing in each state, complicating these proposals.
Test Questionnaire Insights
The form for the test will inquire about various aspects of household dynamics, including:
- Citizenship status
- Sources of income
- Availability of basic amenities like bathtubs or showers
- Connection to public sewer systems
Notably, the form does not incorporate the revised racial and ethnic categories approved by the Biden administration, which include new classifications for “Middle Eastern or North African” and “Hispanic or Latino.”
Concerns About Census Participation
Census advocates express worries that the inclusion of a citizenship question may deter participation among already underrepresented groups, particularly immigrant households. Past research indicates that such questions could lower response rates in critical populations.
During the previous Trump administration, efforts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census were blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, which has left many uncertain about the future direction of census policy.
Next Steps
The final decision on whether to proceed with the citizenship question in the 2026 test rests with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This determination will impact how the census is conducted and how non-citizen populations are quantified moving forward.
