Illegal Immigrants Demand Equal Representation in Congress

Illegal immigrants across several states have begun organizing protests and petitions, insisting that their exclusion from the upcoming census apportionment would strip them of essential political influence.

President Trump recently announced via Truth Social his intention to conduct a new census that omits undocumented individuals from the count used to determine congressional seats, arguing that only legal residents should shape representation.

This move revives a policy he pursued during his first term, which aimed to adjust how the Census Bureau calculates population for apportionment purposes, potentially shifting House seats away from states with large immigrant populations.

Activists representing undocumented communities argue that the policy undermines the foundational principle of counting all persons in the United States, as established by the 14th Amendment.

The Census Bureau has historically included everyone residing in the country, regardless of legal status, to ensure accurate distribution of federal resources and electoral power.

"This is nothing short of tyranny," said Maria Gonzalez, a spokesperson for an immigrant advocacy group in California.

"We've built lives here, contributed to the economy, and now they're saying we don't count for representation? It's outrageous."

The Supreme Court previously blocked similar attempts in 2020, ruling that excluding undocumented immigrants from apportionment was unconstitutional.

States like California and New York, which have significant undocumented populations, stand to lose multiple congressional seats if the policy takes effect, while others like Texas could see mixed impacts depending on enforcement.

Gonzalez's group has collected thousands of signatures on a petition demanding that Congress intervene to protect their interests. Similar efforts are underway in Texas and Florida, where community leaders emphasize the role of immigrants in local industries such as agriculture and construction.

"If we're not represented, who will speak up for our rights?" asked Javier Ruiz, an organizer from a Texas-based coalition. "We've been part of this country for years, voting in every election, and this move just erases us from the map."

The administration maintains that the census should reflect only citizens and legal residents to prevent what they describe as distorted political power.

Legal challenges are already being prepared by civil rights organizations, citing precedents from past rulings. Protests have drawn crowds in major cities, with participants calling for broader immigration reforms that include pathways to citizenship.

Advocacy groups plan to escalate their campaigns through social media and direct appeals to lawmakers.

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