How the U.S. government measures race has changed substantially since censuses began in 1790. Today, Americans differ on whether the government should ask about race.

Racial categories, which have been on every U.S. census, have changed from decade to decade, reflecting the politics and science of the times.

US Department of Agriculture data reveals most recipients are white, US-born citizens, followed by minorities.

For decades, federal officers have had to rely on more than race or ethnicity to stop and question someone over citizenship.