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Wednesday, Jun 3, 2026

Did Missouri count undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders in the 2020 census?

Trevor Grandin , Columbia Missourian
yes

Every state, including Missouri, counted undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders in the 2020 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau collects data from all foreign-born residents who participate in its censuses and surveys, regardless of legal status.

The bureau uses the term “foreign born” in reference to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen at birth. That includes naturalized U.S. citizens; immigrants; temporary migrants, such as foreign students; refugees and asylees; and unauthorized migrants.

The 14th Amendment stipulates that an enumeration, or census, shall “count the whole number of persons in each State.”

In January, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a federal lawsuit that argues counting undocumented immigrants “… diminishes the representation of States like Missouri …”

The Missouri NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement have joined as defendants. The case is ongoing.

See a full discussion of this at Columbia Missourian

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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