Trump administration reviews 2024 census race/ethnicity changes, including new Middle Eastern/North African category.

The Trump administration has launched a review of 2024 racial and ethnic category changes for the 2030 census and federal surveys, including new options for "Middle Eastern or North African" and "Hispanic or Latino" and ending the automatic classification of Middle Eastern or North African individuals as white. Mark Calabria, chief statistician at the Office of Management and Budget, confirmed the review is underway, though no decisions have been made. The Biden-era standards remain in effect for now, with a delayed implementation deadline, but advocates warn the review could undermine data accuracy for redistricting, civil rights enforcement, and policy-making. The move follows broader administration efforts to reassess diversity initiatives and federal data practices.