Trump Official Hints at Reversing Census Racial Category Changes | TNNEWS

Reevaluation of Census Categories Sparks Debate

Matt Rourke/AP

On Friday, a representative from the Trump administration hinted at a possible reconsideration of the racial and ethnic classifications approved for the 2030 census and other federal forms.

Concerns Over Data Accuracy

Advocates for these categories worry that last-minute changes to the federal standards on race and ethnicity data could compromise the precision of census data. This data is crucial for redistricting, enforcing civil rights, and shaping policy.

The last update to these standards occurred in 2024 under the Biden administration, following Census Bureau studies and public input.

New Categories Introduced

During that revision, a White House agency approved new options for “Middle Eastern or North African” and “Hispanic or Latino” in a revised question asking about race and ethnicity. The changes also stopped the automatic classification of individuals from Middle Eastern or North African backgrounds as white.

Current Review Underway

At a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., Mark Calabria, the chief statistician at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, announced a new review of these standards by the Trump administration.

“We’re at the initial stages of this review, and it’s too early to predict any outcomes,” Calabria stated. “We’ve heard diverse opinions within the administration, so it’s premature to determine our direction.”

The OMB’s press office did not respond to NPR’s request for comments.

Implications of the Review

Calabria’s remarks confirm that the administration is contemplating not implementing the latest changes to racial and ethnic categories. This comes amid efforts to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and halt the collection of data protecting transgender rights.

In September, the OMB announced that the Biden-era revisions remain effective, extending the deadline for federal agencies to adopt the new standards to 2029.

Calabria noted that this extension allows more time for agencies to implement the changes while the review is ongoing.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

The initial Trump administration delayed updates to racial and ethnic data standards for the 2020 census.

The Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” agenda urges a thorough review of census questions, citing concerns that data under Biden’s proposals might support progressive agendas.

Advocates’ Perspective

Proponents of the changes argue that the new categories are essential for accurately representing diverse identities.

“This is about gaining a clearer understanding of our nation’s communities,” says Meeta Anand, senior director of census and data equity at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “A genuine review is welcome, but a predetermined outcome that disregards the transparent process is concerning.