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Republican Senators Vitter, Bennett Attempt To Force Census To Ask Immigration Status

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Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

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Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) want to amend the pending Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill (which funds NASA and the census, among other things) to force census takers to ask immigration status.

The amendment ties funding for the census bureau to asking of the question on "all future" decennial censuses.

Vitter said because some states have included illegal immigrants in their counts, that's led to more Congressional seats.

"We shouldn't let these states be rewarded for skirting our federal laws and this amendment would help stop this practice," he said when introducing it. "It obviously won't help us identify all illegal aliens, but it's a step in the right direction. Illegal aliens should not be included for the purposes of determining representation in Congress, and that's the bottom line here."

Senate leadership didn't have a comment, but it's unlikely this change will see the light of day.

A tipster pointed out to us that were such a provision to pass, it could scare the undocumented away from filling out the forms for fear they would be used by immigration officials. The tipster also argued it would cost taxpayers money since all the forms would need to be reprinted.

Here's some more analysis and here's Bennett's floor speech on the issue:

We'll be keeping an eye on this, so stay tuned and let us know your thoughts as well.

Comments (14) | Join the Conversation!

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October 8, 2009 2:36 PM   

OK, I'll bite. I'm sure there are as many illegals in Texas and the southeast as there are in California. I'd love to see what the district allocations would look like if this passed.

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October 8, 2009 2:38 PM   

Yet another not-so subtle attempt to kill, or a least derail, the census.

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October 8, 2009 2:39 PM   

Are Census forms no longer anonymized? And how would they propose to accomplish verification of status?

I smell posturing.

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October 8, 2009 3:01 PM   

Shouldn't we also ask each individual whether they've cheated on their spouse or used the services of a hooker, so we can see whether the Louisiana senator is in good company or not?

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October 8, 2009 3:14 PM    in reply to Dilirius

Touché.

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October 8, 2009 3:18 PM   

Utah just barely lost out on a 4th seat the last time and Louisiana is predicted to lose as a consequence of Katrina. THis may be a factor. When I have others come to my door,including missionaries from Bennett's church, I don't recall ever being asked the question.

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October 8, 2009 3:26 PM   

Jesus, it's like the Republican leadership said "okay boys, today's the day to gather up all your most thuggish, base-tingling, imbecile-pleasing legislative ideas and drop them into the hopper."

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October 8, 2009 3:57 PM   

In the past (the 1890 census, for example) one of the questions asked was when was the citizen naturalized? If you are into finding out about your family, you will look at past census results. On them are the names of the persons living in the dwelling and a lot of other information all of which varies with each census.

So this is not a new question, the main difference being that the country was welcoming immigrants (Know-Nothings notwithstanding) and it was to our advantage to see where they were coming from. Now the information is being asked for the neo-Know-Nothings sake.

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slb

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October 8, 2009 4:24 PM    in reply to mikeyes

Well, asking whether a person is a naturalized citizen and if so, when he was naturalized are very different things from asking whether or not he is in the country legally. That is a question that has NEVER been asked, probably in no small part because until recent decades, there was really no concept of "illegal immigrant."

I don't know how many illegal aliens they expect to answer that question honestly, unless they're also planning on demanding that you send copies of your immigration papers in with your census form.

But where is Michelle Bachmann to decry the potential abuse that questions like this could be used to perpetrate? (Like giving ICE the ability to target certain zip codes for dragnet roundups, for example.) Or is she only concerned about people finding out when she went off her rocker?

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October 8, 2009 4:15 PM   

Sounds great! I'm sure the illegal immigrants will be more than happy to let us know they're in the US illegally.

BTW, have they explained who gets asked this question? All Americans? Have Bennett and Vitter already confirmed they're in the US legally?

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October 8, 2009 4:42 PM   

Ok, this seems like common sense to me, but I dont know of anyone in this country that when given a government form is going to check the "I did something illegal" box! Oh heaven help us common sense is far to uncommon.

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jg

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October 8, 2009 7:31 PM   

Amazing on many points; a) who exactly would admit they are here illegally and thereofre a criminal? b) this is happening due to INS not doing their job for decades as mandated by previous laws and regs over the past 30 years, so just pile more on c) handling our "illegal alien or immigrant" problem in the US will not be aided by some reg in Census Bureau - jeesh!

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October 9, 2009 12:06 AM   

The House-Senate committees has completed its funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill as of yesterday, undermining long-term security of unemployed American workers. They omitted the language that would have implemented the E-Verify application on a permanent basis to eject illegal workers. Instead, the conference extended the agreement limits of reauthorization for just three years. Even as E-Verify is gaining in nationwide popularity in businesses, the politicians are still catering to illegal immigrants. A assessment to extend E-Verify for only three more years is further evidence that Sen. Reid and the administration's effort, to raise a façade, but all the while dismantling effectual controls against immigration invasion. So although the open border organization, headed by quasi-leadership of the Council of Foreign Relations, US Chamber of Commerce and anti American organizations such as the ACLU, La Raza didn't win in Federal Court they still determined to corrode the laws. IF! And I'm saying--IF--President Obama can brain--wash--THE PEOPLE to pass immigration reform?

These special interest lobbyists are well organized in the Democratic Senate and House to undermine any enforcement of immigration laws, including the 1986 (IRCA) that is a law that was never enforced. Same day Sen.David Vitter offered an amendment to sever Federal funds to SANCTUARY CITIES AND STATES, but as always they failed to observe the "Rule of Law." The vote went along party lines except for three Republicans who voted with the Democrats to table the amendment. One Democrat voted against the motion - Landrieu (LA). Even though we can throw the conspirators out, when they come up for re-election it will have little effect? Even though they lose their seats, they will be reimbursed by their corporate friends with nice civilian desk jobs, with bloated pay checks.

NUMBERSUSA is an American people’s website that removes the propaganda placed on us by the Liberal press. At this location is raw evidence--YOU NEED TO KNOW--of the Democratic Leadership who is conspiring with industry, so that millions of illegal immigrants can still cross the border, so they can feed like leeches from American taxpayers and take the jobs. Everything you need to know about corrupted officials, mayor’s judges, governors and politicians is available at JUDICIAL WATCH. Learn where billions of dollars are going for undisclosed welfare programs for illegal aliens and families. Go to these websites and become a political advocate and keep the names of each treacherous politician in your long term memory.

Throw out Sen. Harry Reid, as he has been in the forefront of de-funding, derailing all the active laws such as 287 G. Janet Napolitano should join him on the garbage heap, along with speaker Pelosi who has an (F-) in immigration grading for enforcement. Mark your own lawmaker and drag him across the hot coals by calling 202-224-3121 Find out the buried truth at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIAL WATCH & CAPSWEB, for overpopulation facts. They even went after Sheriff Joe Ariapo in Arizona for carrying out his duties, under the 287 G fed law. His deputies were so successful in the removal program; big business went crawling to the Democratic leaders pleading for assistance. GET THE FACTS--NOT THE LIES! REMEMBER NO TAXPAYER HEALTH CARE FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS! NO AMNESTY! NO NOTHING! THEY BROKE OUR LAWS OF SOVEREIGNTY!


Regarding the 2010 Census? Small states will miss out big time on federal dollars, while mass illegal immigration states like California will gain more seats in Congress and too much power and influence? Of course ICE could check the immigration status of those who are counted, even though it's supposedly against US law? Or is counting 20 million plus (?) non-legal residence against the US Constitution?

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October 12, 2009 5:19 PM   

"This amendment would ignoring the Constitution itself as the Constitution requires a count of all “persons” residing in the United States, not just citizens or legal residents. The framers intended the census to be an inclusive count and so avoided the term 'citizen' used elsewhere throughout the Constitution." Knowledge: http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2009/1012_census_reamer_singer.aspx

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