Trump's Ongoing Battle for Election Integrity
President Donald Trump has reignited his fight to keep illegal aliens off voter rolls, a battle that began during his first term. As reported by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, this issue is set to take center stage in Trump's second term. With the upcoming 2030 census on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever for the integrity of our elections.
Importance of Counting Only Citizens
The Supreme Court has yet to determine the legal merits of counting noncitizens in the U.S. census. However, the implications of this decision are profound. If noncitizens are included in census counts, it could lead to skewed congressional representation and an Electoral College that does not reflect the will of American citizens. This is a crucial point that must not be overlooked.
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Legislative Avenues to Exclude Noncitizens
Trump has several avenues to pursue excluding noncitizens from the census. One option involves working with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to introduce a citizenship question on the census. This move is backed by Republican-led states through a lawsuit filed in January 2025. Support is growing in Congress, with bills introduced by Rep. Chuck Edwards and Sen. Bill Hagerty that aim to mandate this citizenship question and exclude noncitizens from apportionment. The potential for a Republican-controlled Congress to pass such legislation is promising.
Historical Context of the Census Count
Historically, the inclusion of noncitizens in the census has been contentious. The Trump administration's 2020 effort to exclude noncitizens was met with fierce opposition from blue states and advocacy groups. Many argued that counting noncitizens dilutes the political power of citizens, a concept that should resonate deeply with concerned voters. The Supreme Court blocked this effort in December 2020, but it did not address the merits of Trump's argument, leaving the door open for future attempts.
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Consequences of Counting Noncitizens
The consequences of including noncitizens in the census could be severe. According to estimates, California has the highest number of illegal aliens, with 2.6 million residing in the state. This influx has led to a loss of congressional seats, as evidenced by the net outmigration of citizens from California. If this trend continues, Texas and Florida could gain seats, while California may lose more representation. This shifting dynamic highlights the urgency behind Trump's push for a census that accurately reflects only citizens.
In summary, the fight for election integrity and accurate representation in Congress is far from over. Trump's administration has a unique opportunity to redefine how we count citizens and noncitizens in our nation. The implications of this battle will resonate for generations, affecting the very foundation of our democratic process.
