Washington, D.C. | October 26, 2026 - The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (NPRCC) submitted comments to the U.S. Census Bureau on its proposed rule, "Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions" (Docket No. USBC-2026-0628). For the stakeholders we serve, the census is an economic issue. Businesses rely on census data to choose locations, plan hiring, and attract investment.
The proposed rule would tie each person's residence to federal tax records, which many Puerto Rico residents are generally not required to file, and it does not mention Puerto Rico at all. It would also remove the race and ethnicity questions, including the Hispanic origin question that has included a "Puerto Rican" option on every census since 1980. Our comments urged the Census Bureau to:
Withdraw or substantially revise the proposal and, at a minimum, explain how it would apply to Puerto Rico
Recognize Puerto Rico tax records and treat tax records as one factor among several
Keep self-reported race and ethnicity questions with detailed Hispanic origin categories
Prepare a full analysis of the rule's effect on small businesses
Consult with the Government of Puerto Rico and stakeholders on the island and stateside before any final rule
"Accurate census data is how a small business decides where to open, hire, and invest," said Joel Berrocal, Executive Director of NPRCC. "Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican communities deserve an accurate count. An accurate count respects the dignity of every person and serves the common good."