Concerns Over Electoral Benefit for Democrats
A new bill has been introduced that could have significant implications for the apportionment of congressional districts in the future. If passed, the bill would require the census to exclude non-citizens from the count used for redistricting purposes. Currently, all individuals, including resident non-citizens and illegal immigrants, are counted in the census.
Republican Concerns and Democratic Opposition
Republicans have long expressed concerns that Democrats may gain an electoral advantage from a surge in illegal immigration. They argue that illegal immigrants tend to settle in liberal areas with generous social services and sanctuary policies, which could ultimately impact the distribution of congressional seats.
Earlier attempts to include a citizenship question on the census were rejected by the Supreme Court on the grounds of insufficient reasoning. Former President Trump had even considered using an executive order to include the question, but ultimately it was not included in the census.
Border Crisis and Growing Numbers of Migrants
The issue has resurfaced due to the current border crisis and the increasing number of migrants entering the United States. Cities like New York City and Chicago, as well as states like California, are seeing significant influxes of migrants. These numbers could potentially impact the apportionment of congressional districts.
Controversial Comments Draw Attention
Comments made by Democratic Representative Yvette Clarke from New York recently drew attention to the issue. Clarke stated, “I need more people in my district just for redistricting purposes,” sparking controversy and raising further concerns about the potential manipulation of district boundaries.
New Legislation Introduced
As part of a package of legislation, Representative Matt Rosendale from Montana has introduced a similar bill in the House. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of non-citizens in the census count for redistricting purposes.
If the bill becomes law, it would apply to the census conducted in 2030 and future censuses. The potential impact on congressional district apportionment and the electoral landscape could be significant.