President Donald Trump declared through a social media post that he has instructed the Department of Commerce to initiate the process of conducting a revised US census excluding undocumented immigrants from the tally. The move, revealed on Thursday, signifies a significant shift in census methodology, potentially impacting resource allocation and political representation.

The decision to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census raises legal questions regarding the longstanding practice of counting the total population, irrespective of immigration status. Critics argue that such exclusion could distort the distribution of federal funds and representation in Congress, affecting both immigrant and non-immigrant communities.

In response to Trump’s directive, a Department of Commerce official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “The Department is committed to executing the President’s orders efficiently and in accordance with the law.” However, the legal implications and logistical challenges of implementing a census excluding a specific demographic group remain to be clarified.

Conversely, proponents of the President’s call for a revised census argue that accurate representation should reflect the number of legal residents in the country. The debate surrounding the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the census underscores broader discussions on immigration policy and the role of the census in shaping governmental decisions and resource distribution.

As the Department of Commerce embarks on this new directive, the potential ramifications on various sectors, including funding for local communities and the apportionment of congressional seats, are likely to be closely monitored. The development of a census methodology that aligns with the President’s vision may prompt legal challenges and further debate on the intersection of immigration, population data, and governance.