The U.S. Census Bureau seeks comment on revisions to the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) by June 14, 2026, but the Federal Register Notice (FRN) omits a key aspect of the earlier notice, without explanation.
“Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on December 19, 2025, during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.”
In 2027, the FRN notes, the Bureau “plans to introduce an internet self-response option to the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) data collection operation. The Census Bureau believes there is value in offering an internet self-response option to households and people living in certain types of group quarters—college/university student housing, group homes, military barracks, workers’ group living quarters, and emergency and transitional shelters in Puerto Rico.”
The FRN further explains the contact strategies for the ACS and PRCS for housing units and group quarters.
However, something else is missing from the FRN. In the original FRN in December 2025, the Census Bureau proposed revising the ACS race and ethnicity questions starting in 2027, to comply with OMB Statistical Policy Directive 15 (SPD 15) that requires a combined race and ethnicity question with a new Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) category and collection of detailed subgroup data whenever possible. Stakeholders have flagged the lack of any mention of the issue one way or another, and anyone interested in SPD 15 should consider filing comments.
- Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: The American Community Survey and Puerto Rico Community Survey https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/14/2026-09582/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for
