"Census Racial Categories Under Threat of Major Overhaul Reversal"

Trump Administration Signals Potential Rollback of Census Racial Category Overhaul A Trump administration official has hinted at revising the racial and ethnic categories approved for the 2030 census and future federal surveys, sparking concerns among supporters that such changes could compromise the accuracy of census data used for redistricting, civil rights enforcement, and policy-making. The categories, introduced during the Biden administration in 2024, included new checkboxes for "Middle Eastern or North African" and "Hispanic or Latino," and prohibited automatic categorization of those groups as white. According to a Trump administration official, the review of the racial and ethnic categories is ongoing, and any potential changes could be implemented before the 2030 census. The official's comments, made on Friday, have raised questions about the administration's motivations and potential impact on the collection of accurate demographic data. Supporters of the current categories fear that any last-minute modifications could hurt the accuracy of census data and other future surveys. The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for collecting and analyzing demographic data, which is used to inform policy decisions and allocate federal funds. The bureau's standards for data about race and ethnicity have undergone significant changes in recent years. In 2024, the Biden administration introduced new categories for the 2030 census, which included the checkboxes for "Middle Eastern or North African" and "Hispanic or Latino." These categories were designed to provide more accurate and nuanced data about the country's diverse population. Critics of the potential rollback argue that it could have far-reaching consequences for communities of color. "Any changes to the racial and ethnic categories could have a significant impact on the accuracy of census data and other future surveys," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a demographer at the University of California, Los Angeles. "We need to ensure that the data we collect is accurate and representative of the diverse population we serve." The Trump administration's review of the racial and ethnic categories is ongoing, and it is unclear what specific changes may be proposed. However, supporters of the current categories are urging the administration to proceed with caution. "We need to be careful not to undermine the progress we've made in collecting accurate and nuanced data about the country's diverse population," said Dr. Rodriguez. The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to release a report on the review of the racial and ethnic categories in the coming weeks. In the meantime, supporters of the current categories are urging the public to contact their elected officials and express their concerns about the potential rollback. In a statement, a spokesperson for the U.S. Census Bureau said that the agency is committed to collecting accurate and representative data about the country's diverse population. "We will continue to work with stakeholders and experts to ensure that our data collection methods are accurate and effective," the spokesperson said. The potential rollback of the racial and ethnic categories has sparked a heated debate among experts and advocates. As the review process continues, it remains to be seen what specific changes may be proposed and how they may impact the collection of accurate demographic data.