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U.S. Census Bureau Proposes New Residence Criteria and Demographic Question Regulations for Decennial Census

The Census Bureau is proposing to formalise new residence criteria in 15 CFR Part 60. Under the proposed general rule, a person's usual residence would be the residence where they lawfully spent the greatest number of days during the census enumeration period, supported by evidence such as tax records. The proposed enumeration period would run from 3 January through 1 April in a decennial census year, with 1 April remaining Census Day. A day at a residence would generally count if the person was physically and lawfully present there for at least one hour. For foreign citizens, the proposed rule would distinguish between legal statuses: Foreign citizens who are also U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as of 1 April would be counted at their usual residence. Other foreign citizens would not be counted for apportionment. The Census Bureau is considering using administrative records to determine an individual's legal status. The Bureau has access to records from federal agencies, state and local governments and other sources that could be used for this purpose. The proposal also invites comments on whether other immigration statuses should be considered sufficiently similar to lawful permanent resident status to qualify for inclusion. The proposal also establishes specific residence criteria for other groups. These include: People living outside the United States. U.S. military and civilian federal personnel stationed overseas. U.S. military personnel assigned to vessels. Merchant Marine personnel. People born or dying around Census Day. People confined in correctional or detention facilities. People staying in transitory locations such as hotels, motels, campgrounds and marinas. Separately, proposed 15 CFR Part 70 would restrict demographic questions. Questions about race, ethnicity or sexual orientation could not appear on the decennial census questionnaire. Questions about biological sex, date of birth and household relationships could be included for population-count verification. Other demographic questions would generally not require respondents to provide an answer.

Jurisdiction

United States

Category

Work & skilled workers

Recorded versions

1

Official source

federalregister.gov