Eli5: Why does the US Government classify Arabs/Middle Easterners as white?

Question

So according to the US government, Arabs, Persians, Kurdish, etc people are white. Why is this?

In: Other

Answer 1

As of 2 days ago, your question is out of date. The US government has invented a new race called MENA that includes Arabs, Persians, Israeli Jews, and north Africans.

See here for details:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/29/2024-06469/revisions-to-ombs-statistical-policy-directive-no-15-standards-for-maintaining-collecting-and

IMNSHO, no public good is achieved by assigning people to race. It perpetuates racism.