On Tuesday, October 27, Montgomery County officials submitted formal comments opposing proposed changes to the 2030 Census, warning that the rule could reduce federal funding for schools and public services while limiting demographic data.
According to the county, the proposal would exclude residents who are not U.S. citizens or green-card holders, including visa holders, DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status holders, and asylees. It would also eliminate race and ethnicity questions and change how residents are counted using tax and immigration records.
County officials argue that the changes could reduce federal funding for the next decade without reducing demand for services.
“Leaving them out of the census doesn’t change who lives here. It just means less money to serve the same people for ten years,” County Executive Marc Elrich said.
Council President Natali Fani-González and Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor also expressed concerns about the impact on local planning and education funding.
The public comment period closes Monday, November 2, although the county has requested an extension through December 10. Residents and organizations can submit comments through regulations.gov under Docket USBC-2026-0628.
