Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear a great presentation by a US Census worker on the up coming 2010 Census. The expected questions about Acorn involvement where asked and answered. It was stated that all people living in an area will be counted, even non-citizens. That begged the question as to why were non-citizens and illegal aliens being counted in the US Census. The reason given was a good one, that resources for health care, transportation, etc are allocated on a basis of population and, citizen or not, those resources are being used. While I believe illegals should be deported, I do understand that they are a drain on social resources and I understand the reasoning, but I do not agree with it.The problem is they should not be counted as part of the population of the US, because they are not citizens and only citizens of the US should be counted. Article I, Section 2 of the US Constitution calls for Enumeration to determine each states Representation in the US House. This was later modified by the 14th Amendment. "Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." It goes on to state, "Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed." It seems quite clear that only citizens are to be counted.
So what does this mean? According to the Department of Homeland Security the "estimated numbers of undocumented immigrants [are]-- California (2.0 million), Texas (700,000), New York (540,000)" By counting these non US citizens in the Census, these states get extra Congressional seats they should not have. An average of 693,000 residents is needed for each house seat. That means that California has at least three extra members of the US House of Representatives and Texas and New York each have one extra. Those five mis-allocated Representatives are at the expense of other states. Utah, Indiana and Mississippi would most likely pick up one each of those five mis-allocated seats.
It is important that the Census only count US Citizens. We are the only ones that are supposed to be voting. The presence of Legal or Illegal Aliens should not come in to play when dividing up the US House of Representatives. Once you become a citizen, then you should be counted and only then you should receive the benefits of citizenship, not before.
well said Gary. Unfortunately, the politicians will never do anything about the issue of illegal immigrants and the U.S. census. Until we the American citizens, remove all of the current politicians in Washington. The career politician is the real root to all the government/political problems in this country.
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