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Legislation will ensure fair congressional apportionment

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) today introduced the Fairness in Representation Act (H.R. 3797), legislation that requires the Census Bureau to count the number of illegal immigrants present in the United States in its decennial census.  The census count currently does not distinguish between illegal immigrants and citizens or those legally present in the U.S.

“Accurately counting the number of illegal immigrants in our country is a matter of equity and justice for American citizens and those legally present in the U.S.,” Foxx said. “This bill is a commonsense proposal to require the Census Bureau to ask about citizenship status on the same census form that already asks recipients’ race, age, and sex.” 

Foxx’s legislation aims to prevent unfair distortions in the distribution of House of Representative seats among the 50 states caused by large populations of illegal immigrants in certain areas. 

By counting illegal immigrants the Census Bureau will be able to provide accurate data for the reapportionment and redistricting process.  Without this data some states will receive fewer Congressional representatives than they should due to other states’ high illegal immigrant population. 

“The census is a lynchpin in the proper functioning of America’s democratic and legislative process,” Foxx said.  “Ensuring that the final tally is accurate and fair will mean everyone’s vote counts equally after congressional districts are redrawn in the coming years.”

Note: please click here to read the legislation.