Lawmakers push to add immigration questions to US census

As the Federal government prepares for the 2010 US census, many lawmakers and advocacy groups are focusing on how the census will count immigrants.

Latino community leaders see the US Census as an opportunity to showcase Latino power by proving the size of their community. It’s also important for getting federal funds for programs that serve their needs. But some immigrants are afraid to talk to government officials, for fear their immigration status will be discovered.  The census has never asked about immigration status – until now.

Some Republican lawmakers, like North Carolina Republican Virginia Foxx, have introduced legislation requiring Census officials to determine who is in the country illegally. Foxx says the idea is not to deport anyone, it is just so congressional districts can be drawn based on legal voters, and not just residents.

"I think that there are districts out in California that have half the number of voters that I have in my district, but they have a lot of illegals in the district. I think the Census should clarify whether you're here legally or illegally."

The legislation has been modified in the Senate to inquire only about citizenship and not legal status. Six former Census directors issued a joint statement opposing the bill, saying they were “deeply troubled” about adding an untested question only six months before the census is set to begin.