Should The Census Count Illegal Immigrants?

response to Immigrants tipping congressional scales

“The San Jose Mercury News ran a front-page article yesterday which was kind of interesting, as it posed the question: “Should illegal immigrants count in the census for determining how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives?”

While at first glance, this seems like an easy question to answer, it really isn’t. Historically, up until now, they have counted — ever since the Fourteenth Amendment was passed.

First, the numbers. By their figures (credited to the “Connecticut State Data Center”), if the 2010 U.S. Census counts illegal immigrants towards apportioning House seats (as it has been doing), five states would lose House seats. Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan would each lose one seat; and Ohio and New York would both lose two seats. Three states would gain seats. Arizona and Texas would each gain two seats, and Florida would gain three. All other states would remain the same.”

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