The decision by Santos, who started as the bureau’s director in 2022, cuts short a five-year appointment during key preparations for the 2030 census. The next constitutionally required head count of the country’s residents is set to be used to redistribute political representation and trillions in federal funding across the country over the next decade.

“It’s always important for an agency as large as the Census Bureau to have stability in its most senior position, and we’re at a critical point at the Census Bureau’s preparations for the 2030 decennial census,” says Vargas, the advisory committee chair, who is also the CEO for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. “I’ll miss having somebody with the expertise and perspective that Santos has brought to the position as the bureau prepares for 2030.”