Trump directs Commerce Dept to start new census without illegal aliens

A census without illegal aliens counted is expected to significantly alter the congressional landscape.

By Ben Whedon

Published: August 7, 2025 9:31am

Updated: August 7, 2025 9:36am

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that he had directed the Commerce Department to begin work on a new national census that would not include illegal aliens.

"I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024," he posted on Truth Social. "People who are in our Country illegally WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Trump previously attempted to do so during his first term, though legal challenges blocked that effort. The president has estimated that there could be as many as 21 million illegal aliens in the country.

A census without illegal aliens counted is expected to significantly alter the congressional landscape, likely to the advantage of Republicans as it would presumably lower the populations of blue states with sanctuary policies.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.