U.S. census is immigration debate's newest flashpoint

[Mikell]

Of course, it's all about money.


With Money on the Line, Local Governments Urge Illegal Immigrants to Fill Out Census

"Cities, counties and states that haven't been very kind to illegal immigrants over the years are suddenly dusting off their welcome mats. With the 2010 census about to get under way, those undocumented residents will be worth a lot of money for the next few weeks."

William Gheen, president of the Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC), said that counting undocumented residents for the purposes of the census "undermines" the electoral process -- he said on that basis, immigrant-heavy places like Southern California could qualify for far more funding and representation than immigrant-light places like Maine.

"It is intrinsically unfair and abusive to American citizens," Gheen said. He said Congress should eventually exclude all data from illegal immigrants for funding and apportionment decisions and allow it to be used instead for enforcement. Plus, he said, counting illegal immigrants in the census is part of a "de facto amnesty" policy.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...est=latestnews