Politics
Tempe warns census proposal could cut resources for a city serving thousands of international students
A federal proposal would exclude people without permanent immigration status from the decennial count, potentially leaving more than 9,500 international students at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus out of local population figures. Tempe officials and higher-education advocates warn that population-based funding could fall even as demand for services remains.
TEMPE, Ariz. — A proposed change to the U.S. census could leave international students and other temporary residents out of the population count used to guide government funding and planning, a potential concern for Tempe and its universities.
The Census Bureau is considering counting only U.S. citizens and permanent residents in its once-a-decade tally. That would exclude people without permanent immigration status, including international students and temporary visa holders, according to the proposal. Public comments are due Nov. 2, 2026.
More than 9,500 international students attend Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, according to education provider Kaplan Pathways. Their presence, along with other residents who might not be counted under the proposed criteria, contributes to local demand for transportation, health care and other public services.
Sarah Spreitzer, vice president and chief of staff for government relations at the American Council on Education, said census figures shape decisions about services and planning at every level of government. Students may not live in a community permanently, she said, but they use its services while school is in session.
Tempe City Councilmember Doreen Garlid said the impact could extend to other Arizona university communities, including Tucson and Flagstaff. She warned that cities could be left responsible for serving people who are missing from the population figures used to distribute money.
Census-based allocations can affect housing and development grants, state-shared revenue and federal Title I support for schools. Garlid said lower counts could therefore constrain city budgets and school resources, despite continuing local needs.
The Census Bureau has said the count should be “colorblind” and not be distorted by what it called immaterial personal characteristics, such as race. The proposed residence criteria are now open for public comment.