Robert Santos, who emphasized inclusivity and outreach to underrepresented communities, has announced his resignation as the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, midway through his five-year term. Santos, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, made his decision known on Thursday evening, stating it came after "deep reflection." His departure creates space for potential shifts in leadership at the bureau during this pivotal time as the nation prepares for the 2030 census.
Sworn in as the bureau’s 26th director and its first Hispanic leader, Santos's resignation indicates the possibility of significant changes as the bureau stands at the threshold of planning the upcoming national census. His tenure began against the backdrop of political upheaval and controversy surrounding the 2020 census, during which many observed attempts from the previous administration to politicize the process.
Santos expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation. He noted, "It’s been such an honor to serve our nation," on social media platform Linked-In following the announcement. His leadership has often been linked with efforts to restore public trust in the Census Bureau after years of perceived interference and mismanagement during former President Donald Trump's administration, which included failed attempts to include citizenship questions and early counting cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, with Santos stepping down, the opportunity arises for President Trump to appoint new leadership within the Census Bureau. This appointment is particularly consequential as Trump’s associates have been vocal about pursuing strategies aimed at excluding undocumented immigrants from census counts used to allocate congressional seats and federal funds. According to experts, such actions could significantly sway political power and the distribution of approximately $2.8 trillion allocated annually through federal programs.
Arturo Vargas, chair of the Bureau's 2030 Census Advisory Committee, characterized Santos's departure as detrimental at this stage of planning, remarking, "It’s always important for an agency as large as the Census Bureau to have stability." He expressed personal regret over losing the unique expertise and perspective Santos provided.
Santos’s record as leader included overseeing the remodeling of census processes to promote inclusivity. His noticeable focus on improving data collection around sexual orientation, gender identity, and racial categories was pivotal. The planned changes included the introduction of questions pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time during the 2027 annual American Community Survey.
During his tenure, Santos actively highlighted the necessity of restoring trust both internally and externally within the Census Bureau. Many civil rights groups recognized his efforts and expressed gratitude for his dedication to equitable practices. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights acknowledged, “Mr. Santos made history — not just through his appointment, but through his leadership.” The group also urged the incoming administration to appoint someone committed to impartiality and accuracy.
The concerns following Santos's resignation echo sentiments shared by numerous civil rights advocates, who fear the appointment of someone with partisan ties could undermine the integrity of the Census Bureau. Santos himself emphasized the need for accurate and unbiased data collection, aligning with constitutional mandates postulated by the Fourteenth Amendment to count every person, regardless of immigration status.
The upcoming nomination for Santos's successor will reflect the bureau's path forward and the extent to which it will prioritize nonpartisan data collection versus the growing political pressures as the next decennial census approaches. Santos's commitment to equitable representation was shaped by historical undercounts documented during previous census rounds, particularly impacting Black and Latino communities. His departure now invokes worries about preserving this progress.
Experts focus on the importance of maintaining stability and trust within the Census Bureau's leadership during challenging periods. Terri Ann Lowenthal, a census consultant and former staff director for House oversight on national tally efforts, cautioned against appointing any candidate involved with partisan activities, remarking, "Any attempt to fill the position with someone involved in partisan political activities will undermine public confidence not only in the bureau's work but the nation's statistics."
Santos plans to spend time with his family post-retirement, expressing gratitude for the complete support throughout his service at the Census Bureau.
While Santos's resignation is significant, it is only the beginning of conversations and discussions surrounding the future of the Census Bureau. Clarity around the selection of his successor and the direction they choose to take will be imperative for maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and trustworthiness of U.S. census data during the preparations for the 2030 measurement.