FR 2021-01755

In this executive order, the President has mandated that the decennial census of the United States, which is conducted every ten years, must include every person living in each state for the purpose of assigning representation in the House of Representatives. This includes individuals regardless of their immigration status. By reverting a previous policy, the order ensures that undocumented immigrants will be counted in the census, aligning the policy with past practices that date back to the founding of the country. The order calls for accurate and complete data collection, emphasizing the responsibility of the Secretary of Commerce to ensure an accurate count. Additionally, this order revokes earlier directives related to the collection of citizenship information for the census.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several key concerns with the executive order:

1. Complex Language: The document employs legal terminology that may be difficult for the general public to comprehend without legal knowledge. This could hinder understanding of the order’s implications.

2. Definition of Data Quality: While the order emphasizes the need for high-quality data, it does not provide specific criteria or methods for measuring data quality. This ambiguity could lead to varying interpretations and implementation approaches.

3. Revocation Explanation: The section of the order that revokes previous directives lacks detailed reasoning. Additional context would aid in understanding why these policy reversals were deemed necessary.

4. General Provisions: The broad language used in the general provisions could be more clearly defined. This section touches on how the order is to be implemented in relation to existing laws and appropriations but lacks specific details.

5. Lack of Measurement for Success: The order does not mention specific success metrics or accountability measures for ensuring accurate and reliable census data collection. This omission could make it challenging to assess the effectiveness of its implementation.

Potential Impact on the Public

The new policy could have widespread social and political implications. By ensuring that all residents, regardless of immigration status, are counted, the executive order strengthens representation for diverse communities. This could lead to changes in the allocation of federal resources and political representation, as population counts directly affect congressional districting and the distribution of resources.

However, without clearly defined measures of data quality and success, there may be concerns about how effectively these changes are implemented. A lack of transparency and specificity could create challenges in public trust and confidence in the census process.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Specific groups are likely to be affected by this executive order:

• Undocumented Immigrants: The inclusion of undocumented residents in the census count ensures they are considered in political representation and could impact the allocation of community resources, potentially leading to better addressed community needs.

• State and Local Governments: These governmental bodies may see changes in federal funding and representation due to the updated census counts. States with larger undocumented populations could benefit from a more accurate representation in Congress.

• Immigration Advocates: Organizations and advocates focusing on immigrant rights may view this as a positive step towards fair representation and resource allocation, as it aligns with their goals of inclusion and equity.

In contrast, some groups may perceive this policy as detrimental, believing it may improperly influence political representation or challenge current resource distribution models. Overall, the order reflects a significant policy shift that underscores the importance of inclusivity in the democratic process.