<a href="https://reason.com/volokh/2025/08/08/why-trumps-plan-to-exclude-undocumented-migrants-from-census-count-determining-apportionment-of-congressional-seats-is-unconstitutional/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
Donald Trump is shaking things up again, this time with a plan that could redefine the way we perceive the U.S. Census. His directive to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count for congressional apportionment is raising serious eyebrows and legal flags. Legal experts, including constitutional law professor Sanford Levinson, are gearing up for a potential showdown in the Supreme Court, asserting that this move flies in the face of the Constitution, which requires counting all “Persons” in each state. Spoiler alert: if you’re a human living here, it seems like you should count!
In this digital age, where data is the new oil, the idea of deciding who gets counted based on immigration status is churning up a whole lot of controversy. Not to mention that the term “Persons” isn’t just a bureaucratic label; it’s a broad category meant to include every individual. So, in an intriguing twist of irony, while Trump may think he’s pushing for a more accurate count, he could be laying the groundwork for yet another contentious legal battle.
It’s a wild ride, and it’s just starting! As constitutional experts dive into the nitty-gritty of what this all means, it raises some thought-provoking questions about representation and fairness. How does this affect the diversity of voices and perspectives in Congress? What are your thoughts on whether undocumented immigrants should be included in census counts? Let’s get talking!
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