In past censuses, the Middle Eastern and North African Americans (MENA) identity has only been listed as an example under the “white” racial category, if at all. Because of this, the full breadth of the MENA community is unknown and likely undercounted. Factors such as poverty, language barriers, and housing insecurity can compound the risk of MENA communities being undercounted. Being undercounted potentially disadvantages MENA families and communities.