They may not be able to vote.....that could all change for them should they choose to become legal residents.......but in some instances they receive more representation in
WDC simply by being counted in the census. This is going to become a major issue imo.
M
foxnews.com
Illegal Immigrants Affect Congressional Landscape
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
LOS ANGELES — Even though the law doesn't allow them to vote, illegal immigrants are changing the landscape of the U.S. government — and affecting the census' depiction of the population.
Four states, including California, gained congressional seats because of an immigration increase and nine states, including Montana, either lost or failed to gain seats, according to the Center for Immigration Studies (search).
In California, the 31st District was created after the 2000 Census (search) showed a major population increase, even though nearly half of those living there aren't American citizens.
Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra (search ), the U.S. congressman for the 31st District, said his constituents still pay taxes and contribute to society.
"An individual doesn't have to be a citizen to pay taxes — you pay taxes if you work in this country, you pay taxes if you purchase something," he said.
But those like Montana's only U.S. congressman, Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg (search ), said the illegal immigrants skew the congressional delegation.
"They cheat us, frankly, and it is the cheating that gives us underrepresentation," he said. |
