"Census Racial Categories Under Fire: Trump Official Eyes Major 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. According to sources, the potential rollback has raised questions about the administration's motivations and potential impact on the collection of accurate demographic data. The Trump administration's move comes as a surprise, as the racial and ethnic categories were introduced during the Biden administration in 2024. The new categories included new checkboxes for "Middle Eastern or North African" and "Hispanic or Latino," and prohibited automatic categorization of those groups as white. Supporters of the changes fear that any last-minute modifications to the U.S. government's standards for data about race and ethnicity could hurt the accuracy of census data and other future surveys. The Trump administration's review of the racial and ethnic categories is part of a broader effort to review and revise the U.S. Census Bureau's standards for data about race and ethnicity. According to NPR, the Trump administration is reviewing the racial and ethnic categories approved for the 2030 census and other future federal surveys. The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Supporters of the new racial and ethnic categories, including civil rights groups and demographic experts, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Trump administration's move. "Any changes to the racial and ethnic categories at this late stage could compromise the accuracy of census data and undermine the integrity of the census process," said a spokesperson for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). "We urge the Trump administration to reconsider its plans and maintain the current categories." The Trump administration's motivations for revising the racial and ethnic categories are unclear, but some experts speculate that the move may be an attempt to limit the collection of demographic data on certain groups. "The Trump administration's move is a step backward for the collection of accurate demographic data," said Dr. Maria Krysan, a sociologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "By revising the racial and ethnic categories, the administration may be trying to limit the collection of data on certain groups, which could have serious consequences for policy-making and civil rights enforcement." The current status of the review is unclear, but sources indicate that the Trump administration is expected to make a final decision on the racial and ethnic categories by the end of the year. The outcome of the review will have significant implications for the collection of demographic data and the accuracy of census data used for redistricting, civil rights enforcement, and policy-making. In a statement, a spokesperson for the U.S. Census Bureau said that the agency is committed to collecting accurate demographic data and will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure the integrity of the census process. However, the spokesperson declined to comment on the Trump administration's plans for revising the racial and ethnic categories. As the review of the racial and ethnic categories continues, supporters of the new categories are urging the Trump administration to reconsider its plans and maintain the current categories. "We urge the Trump administration to prioritize the accuracy and integrity of the census data and maintain the current racial and ethnic categories," said the NAACP spokesperson. "The collection of accurate demographic data is essential for ensuring that all communities are represented and have a voice in the policy-making process."