All Leadership Voices Outrage Over Proposal to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants, Visa Holders, and Asylum Seekers from Count

County Executive Elrich: "Constitution Mandates Counting Every Resident... Removing Race and Ethnicity Categories Is a Step Backward"

"Concerns Mount Over Heavier Tax Burden on Local Residents Due to Cuts in Federal Funding"... Public Comment Open Until November 2

The leadership of Montgomery County, Maryland’s most populous and multicultural jurisdiction, has officially adopted a resolution strongly opposing the U.S. Census Bureau’s proposed changes to the counting methodology for the 2030 Decennial Census and demanding its complete withdrawal.

According to local news reports on the 28th, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and all members of the County Council held a joint press conference the previous day, unanimously condemning the federal government's policy aimed at excluding immigrants as well as racial and minority groups from the population tally.

Citing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Executive Elrich emphasized, "The Constitution explicitly states to count 'every person' residing in the United States, regardless of citizenship." He added, "One in three county residents is foreign-born, and one in seven is not a U.S. citizen. The federal government cherry-picking which residents to count directly violates the spirit of the Constitution."

According to the revision submitted by the U.S. Census Bureau last month, the 2030 Census count would exclude large numbers of people, including not only undocumented immigrants but also international students, work visa holders, and asylum seekers. Additionally, questions regarding race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation—which have been maintained since the first census in 1790—are slated to be eliminated from the survey. In response, Elrich criticized, "This is not about moving toward a colorblind society; it is simply a choice to ignore reality."

County leaders warned extensively of the severe economic and political impacts that a skewed census count would inflict on the local community. Census data not only determines the apportionment of U.S. House seats and Electoral College votes for each state, but also serves as the critical metric for allocating various federal funding programs.

County Council President Natali Fani-González warned, "If residents are omitted, federal funding allocated to the county will take a direct hit." Currently, Maryland receives $49 billion annually in federal funding for healthcare, public education, road infrastructure, and housing assistance based on census results. Analysts point out that if federal funds decrease due to undercounting, the resulting deficit will ultimately fall on the shoulders of local taxpayers.

County Councilmember Andrew Friedson raised his voice, stating, "This action is not a mere administrative procedure; it is an attack on specific groups and our neighbors. Not being counted means being marginalized, excluded, and left without support." Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe also chimed in, noting, "Census data is the baseline for resource allocation that must never be politicized."

Meanwhile, the public comment period regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s proposed rule changes will remain open until November 2.