Becoming (Non)-White by US Standards

Becoming (Non)-White by US Standards: Recategorization in the 2020 Census Race Question

Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr., Ph.D. and Yasmiyn Irizarry, Ph.D.

This research examines categorical shifts in the White Latino population in the U.S. Census following recent changes to the 2020 race question. These modifications led to many Latinos who self-identified as White being reclassified as multiracial—often against their intent—raising concerns about the accuracy of future race data and a violation of respondent’s autonomy.