Robert Santos, known for his focus on inclusivity and outreach to underrepresented communities, has announced his resignation as director of the U.S. Census Bureau. This decision comes in the midst of his five-year term and as preparations for the vital 2030 census are underway, an event that will significantly influence political representation and federal funding allocation for the next decade.
Appointed by former President Joe Biden, Santos stated in a letter on Thursday that his choice to step down was made “after deep reflection.” He served as the bureau’s 26th director and made history as its first Hispanic head, officially taking on the role in 2022. His resignation may allow President Donald Trump, a Republican, to implement changes in the bureau’s leadership amid ongoing efforts from GOP allies in Congress to shape the census’s handling of undocumented individuals.
A Republican specialist in redistricting mentioned that adopting a citizen voting-age population count instead of the total population for redistricting purposes might favor Republican interests, particularly for non-Hispanic white individuals. The data collected through the census also plays a crucial role in distributing around $2.8 trillion in federal funds to states, impacting various programs including infrastructure and healthcare.
In light of Santos’ impending departure, civil rights organizations have urged Trump to appoint a neutral leader to oversee the country’s largest statistical organization. “The integrity of the U.S. Census Bureau must remain above partisan influence, ensuring that data collection and reporting continue to serve the American people with accuracy, transparency, and fairness,” stated The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
As they prepare for the 2030 census, Santos and his colleagues were also managing updates to the census questionnaires and the annual American Community Survey, particularly regarding questions related to sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and ethnicity. For the first time, questions pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity were set to be included in the 2027 annual survey of American life. Additionally, the bureau was tasked with implementing directives from the Biden administration aimed at merging race and ethnicity questions while introducing a new category for Middle Eastern and North African identities.
During his tenure, Santos concentrated on rebuilding trust in the Census Bureau following controversies attributed to the Trump administration’s first term. Many observers believed that attempts were made to politicize the 2020 census through the appointment of numerous political figures within the agency and initiatives aimed at excluding undocumented individuals from the count for apportionment purposes. The Fourteenth Amendment mandates that “the whole number of persons in each state” must be counted for apportionment.
Before leading the Census Bureau, Santos held the position of vice president and chief methodologist at the Urban Institute, bringing with him over four decades of experience in survey research and statistical design, along with executive-level management. In his farewell letter, Santos expressed his intention to enjoy retirement time with family.
Note: The narrative has been revised to clarify that Robert Santos has expressed intention to resign from the U.S. Census Bureau rather than having already resigned.
