Right-Wing Asshole Watch: Senators Want to Add 'Illegal Immigrant' Question to U.S. Census

[marmar]

Senators Want to Add 'Illegal Immigrant' Question to U.S. Census

Oct. 14, 2009
Rob Kuznia--HispanicBusiness.com


Two Republican Senators are proposing to add a question to the 2010 Census that would ask people if they are here illegally.

The amendment, put forth by Republican Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Bob Bennett of Utah, would mean that people here illegally would be excluded from the Census count that determines how many representatives each state should have in the House.

"Illegal aliens should not be included for the purposes of determining representation in Congress, and that's the bottom line here," said Vitter, according to USA Today.

The amendment is headed for a Senate vote today.

Immigrant advocacy groups are adamantly opposed to it, saying it is already difficult to persuade illegal immigrants to participate in the Census, because many fear that the information could be used to deport them. Government and Census officials have long insisted that it is not true.

The amendment "would raise more questions in the public mind about how confidential the Census is," Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, told USA Today. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/politics/2009/10/14/senators_want_to_add_illegal_immigrant.htm

[csziggy]

1. Isn't it a bit late? The questions have been under preparation for years

It seems wasteful and costly to try to change them at this stage, simply to make political points from the most prejudiced part of the electorate. If the mailers and such have already been approved and printed, this should be stopped immediately - the costs would be significant.

[Zoeisright]

2. So Diaper Dave is concerned about the law, huh?

Gee, Dave, what about the prostitution laws YOU broke?

[rubberducky]

3. On c-span right now whining.

[dflprincess]

4. And they think this question would be answered honestly?

Maybe I'm just dishonest, but if I were here without the proper documentation I wouldn't take a chance and admit that was the case.

[Romulox]

5. Illegal immigrants shouldn't be used to determine representation

It is an unfair dilution of citizen's voting right, which only rewards the most exploitative states with more power.

[Lance_Boyle]

12. agreed 100%

Why would anyone even consider for a moment that it's proper to count illegal aliens in a census of the citizenry (and legal alien population)?

[old mark]

6. Should put that question right beneath "Are you a member of the

'Publican Party?" and "How many guns do you have and where are they?"

Add: "If you are a'Publican, please list a convenient time for microchip implant proceedure for you and your family. FEMA will then assist you to your now housing enclosure. Have a great day."

mark

[T Wolf]

7. EVERYONE should answer this with a "Yes" and drive the cretins crazy. Fucking up the system in

every way possible is the only answer to bullshit like this.

[louis-t]

8. The reason repugs are creating paranoia about the census?

They don't want the public knowing how many vacant houses there are because of stupidface. Skewed results ("don't cooperate with the census") allow them to dismiss results.

[WeDidIt]

9. Sadly, it'd hurt their own districts the most

When you look a the distribution of undocumented aliens, the highest numbers seem to be mostly in GOP districts.

But never let a thing like that mess up a good rhetorical rant of red meat for the xenophobic base.

[Renew Deal]

10. Why would 'Illegal Immigrants' receive a census in the first place?

:shrug:

[laughingliberal]

11. My guess is this would suppress participation overall of the hispanic community

which would suit the Repigs just fine.