United States President Donald Trump has directed the Commerce Department to begin work on a new national census that excludes undocumented immigrants, reigniting debates over representation and redistricting across the United States.

In a social media post on Thursday, Trump said the new census must be ?highly accurate,? and based on ?modern-day facts and figures,? including information obtained from the 2024 presidential election. He declared that individuals ?in our country illegally WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS.?

This move comes as redistricting battles intensify nationwide.

The United States Census Bureau, which has collected data from all residents regardless of immigration status for over two centuries, plays a key role In determining how the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned every decade.

Trump?s directive follows an escalating standoff in Texas, where Republicans are pushing a proposed congressional map that could earn them between three to five additional House seats in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

In protest, Democratic lawmakers fled the state to block a vote by denying a quorum.

In response, Republican Governor Greg Abbott ordered their arrest and asked the state?s Supreme Court to remove a key House Democrat from office.

As Texas Republicans aim to reshape electoral boundaries, Democrats in states like New York and California are threatening countermeasures.

Governors Kathy Hochul and Gavin Newsom have both indicated they may challenge the current use of independent redistricting commissions in their states to give Democrats an advantage.

With just three seats needed to retake the United States House, Democrats and Republicans alike are weighing legal and legislative strategies to redraw congressional maps before 2026.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance visited Indiana on Thursday to meet with Republican leaders and discuss redistricting.

During his first term, Trump attempted to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census, but the United States Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that the move violated federal law. (Nigerian Tribune)

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