The notion that the Constitution guarantees representation in the U.S. House of Representatives to non-citizens is one that seems contradictory on its face.
That notion suggests that if a planeload of Russians lands in Attala County, they immediately become entitled to representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and that they should be counted by the Census Bureau in order to apportion Mississippi's congressional districts.
14th Amendment
Yet that's exactly what some constitutional scholars suggest to be the fact under the 14th Amendment and what they suggest is "settled law." George Mason University professor Michael P. McDonald, who studies the drawing of congressional districts, recently told The Washington Times newspaper that constitutional language is clear and that congressional seats must be allocated based on the total number of people - including illegal immigrants.
Every decade, the 435 seats in the House are divided among the states based on population. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution says (in part): "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed."
But should that number include non-citizen illegal immigrants?
In a Wall Street Journal essay in August, Louisiana State University constitutional law professor John S. Baker and Louisiana demographic analyst Elliott Stonecipher countered McDonald's assessment: "Next year's census will determine the apportionment of House members and Electoral College votes for each state. To accomplish these vital constitutional purposes, the enumeration should count only citizens and persons who are legal, permanent residents. But it won't. Instead, the U.S. Census Bureau is set to count all persons physically present in the country - including large numbers who are here illegally."
Vitter amendment
U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is pushing for a census count that asks a question to distinguish between citizens and non-citizens in order to exclude non-citizens from the numbers used for congressional reapportionment. Vitter said a failure to do so would increase House seats for state with large numbers of illegal immigrants while taking seats away from states with relatively low populations of non-citizens like Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Michigan, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Under no circumstances should Mississippi lose a House seat to a state with a population inflated by illegal immigrants. That violates the "one man, one vote" concept.
Failing to ask a citizenship question on a Census form is ridiculous and the only thing more ridiculous is the suggestion that asking such a question is racist or xenophobic.
Contact Sid Salter at (601) 961-7084 or e-mail ssalter@clarionledger. com. Visit his blog at clarionledger. com. His talk radio show, On Deadline with Sid Salter, is broadcast on the SuperTalk Mississippi network.
Editorials
November 1, 2009
Should the census ask citizenship question?
- Editorials
-
- Military cuts and BRAC to challenge leaders
-
Governor takes lead on state budget
Sound, principled leadership is needed in times of economic uncertainty.
- A tiny little straight line fracture – the show must go on!
-
Fruits of investments becoming evident
Investments by Mississippi State University and the Riley Foundation continue to breathe life into downtown Meridian.
-
Questionable decision by outgoing governor
When former Gov. Haley Barbour left office last week he was supposed to enjoy a comfortable legacy as one of Mississippi's most popular governors.
- East Mississippi's position in House should strengthen
-
Election day is right around the corner
Tuesday will be here before you know it.
-
East Miss. welcomes new plant with open arms
If you haven't driven north of the Lauderdale County line on Highway 493 into Kemper County lately you need to.
- Incomplete arrest reports a problem
-
The public deserves answers
Sometimes in life we drive down the same road in the wrong direction for miles, too stubborn to admit we need to change course or turn around. Doing so, we believe, will only serve to make our passengers question our ability to drive. They should just trust us.
- More Editorials Headlines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
