Should 2010 census ask, 'Are you a US citizen?'

Clearly when our founders wrote the constitution I am sure they could not have foreseen so many illegal people coming to our country. At that time people came to the US to live here, abide in our laws and make this their country. That would be what we call now citizens.
I do agree it would be a fine question to ask, but also think the question should say, are you a citizen or legal resident because we should include those who came here legally and are in the process of citizenship.

How can the Government ask this question? My husband is being expelled from Indiana University because he asked a hispanic woman that was yelling at him if she spoke english. They are charging him with "fighting words" and he was asking because he was trying to tell her she was right. Now they won't allow him to register at the college and holding his transcripts so that he can not apply at another college. I would say his right to free speech is being denied and aren't his transcripts his paid for property.
This college prides itself in how is embraces diversity, however who embraces white males???
We were contacted by one organization that offered help and we quickly refused the KKK's offer.
So how can something like this be allow when a citizen can't ask if someone speaks English???

Its just a way for the liberals to make it look like there arent that many illegals, but all it means for me is higher taxes to help these people out! Its ok for Obama to steal my hard earned money and give it to law breaking illegals!

Hey Debbie, we live in delicate times, but if you are white you dont get to enjoy the same priviledges socially as minorities do! Its a total double standard, I think its liberal ways of paying back for what our long distant relatives did! We must not forget in the long scheme of things that it was the black man who sold the black man in the first place and without this first step, slavery would have never happened! So lets stop placing all the blame on the white man because it takes two to tangle!

We dont need census, all we have to do is look up all the Socal Security numbers and get a better idea who lives in this country and who is illegal! It appalles me that Mexicans think along with liberals think we should accommodate these illegals and even change our official language to Spanish! My question why was the boy in Florida and the girl in Richmond not classified as race crimes when both victims were white and out numbered by other than white people! Not once was it reported as a hate or even a race crime! I wander if the situation was different and the mobs were white and the victims were either black or hispanic if the media would have been all over this as if there nothing in the world worse than a white man picking on a minority!

why do liberals make this so hard. If they just went through the Socal Security data bank they would get a lot better of an idean how many LEGAL citizens there are and then they could pretty much figure out how many ILLEGALS are here! by whos getting a free handout (tax payer money in any form)and is NOT a citizen!

give the census takers a stamp that they can stamp on the questionair..

maybe they can write it in..

I believe that the question should be added to the census form. If the constitution states to count citizens, illegal aliens, which are non-citizens, should not be counted.

The idea of asking "Are you a US citizen" seems like we're going back to the 3/5th rule in which slaves were considered 3/5 a person... I take a literal approach to interpreting this part of the Constitution in which it says "the whole number of persons in each state". As it's written it doesn't make any mention of legal/illegal.
The point is that people who are here in this country, legal or illegal, are here, period. That's all that matters.

What a ridiculous waste of money to add that question to the census! In any case, do they really think people would answer that truthfully. Whoever has proposed adding that question (at taxpayer expense) is obviously trying to make a name for himself. Just pure politics!

Obviously this is essential information and should be asked. It makes no sense to "not want to know"

As a certified genealogist I know this question was asked by previous census enumerators. Check out the 1930 Census of Cuyahoga County, OH and you will see loads of persons who were born abroad and yet were counted on the census. But the question was asked if they were an alien or a naturalized citizen.
Why did the current keeper of the census see this when preparing the form which they are currently using? No homework, I think!

US CITIZEN question is a must and required in the census form. Every application from Schooling to Job applying goes with that question and no one has the objection.

It's easier way to weed out the illegals (not that they need to kick out from the country).

non citizens should not be counted!!

Robert
Port Charlotte, Fl.

Since congressional representation is based on census numbers I feel that only citizens should be counted. Otherwise states with large non-citizen populations willl be given an inappropriate advantage. Foounding fathers wanted "whole persons" counted and by their definitions "whole persons" were citizens–remember slaves were not citiznes and not counted as whole persons. The cost for reprinting is a problem, but one wonders why this question wasn't added a long time ago well prior to the current printing.

How could there be any consideration in having a census that did not ask the citizenship question. It's truly unfortunate that the forms were printed without this question, but the redistricting of our congress is based on this information. We must have this question on the census!

Why would anyone even have to ask this question?
It's America and we are taking a census. We need to know how many males we have and how many females we have, how many adults we have, how many children we have AND how many citizens we have and how many non-citizens we have.
Pete McDermott
Southold, NY

Being that the census questionaires have been printed already, why not wait until 2011 to add the question "Are you a US citizen?". It would save all the txpayers money being that we truly are the ones paying for it.

I am a non-resident and I pay taxes at the local, state and federal level.
If non-citizens are not taken into consideration for state representation then I want my taxes back.

No taxation witout representation, isn't that a truely american concept?

Sure! He can have the question. Since we have spent enough taxpayer for a lifetime, maybe he can handwrite the question all every single form.

It should be the first question and if the answer is no, the others questions shouldn't apply.

It is completely reasonable to ask whether or not someone is a U.S. citizen on the upcoming census. The purpose of this information is to correctly represent the voting constituents in each state, not start a witch hunt for people living in this country illegally. The separate issue of the additional cost is an important one, but as long as we're doing a census, we might as well do it right.

Is my understanding the Congressmen and Senators are elected to represent the people not just the citizens. Sounds to me as if Senator Vitter is just plain lazy for not wanting to represent ALL of residents of his state.

Of course we should ask if you are a citizen. We've been invaded by Mexico and other countries and need to not count those invaders.

The question can be posed but the person will answer any way they see fit. Most would probably lie out of fear of being targeted for deportation.

Sure! He can have the question. Since we have spent enough taxpayer money for a lifetime, maybe he can handwrite the question all every single form.

The question of citizenship is appropriate on a national census. As I understand it, this question will not change the total number being recorded, only indicate how many of the total are U. S. citizens.

The U.S. census is used to determine the number of representatives each district gets. Since illegal aliens are unable to vote, it is wrong to have them counted in the census for this purpose. If you want to simply count them and not adjust representation on their numbers, then that is fine.

The framers of the constitution also intended that black people only be counted as 3/5 of a person. Everyone knows how wrong that was. If the Senator wants to be such strict constructionist of the constitution, I wonder what he would say of this?

Are you a US citizen should be the first question asked. This country and its government exist for this country and its people. Illegals by basic definatioin are law breakers....if not why have laws at all.

Yes I think it should be added. There are a lot of illegal immigrants to this country and I think this is a good way to help with this issue. There is only one problem-the illegal immigrants have not been honest with the government so far, so what's to say they won't be dishonest on this? As far as changing the constitution, that is a great idea. When the constitution was written, the number of illegial immigrants were not near the number they are now.

Yes.....the question of citizenship needs to be asked....but democrats don't embrace American citizens.....they embrace criminal trespassers to our country....ACORN....ACLU...trillion dollar borrowed money from China...bashing companies who employ American citizens....on and on.
Their positions are a joke.....and I am going to say it.....UNAMERICAN.

Asking "are you a citizen?" does not tell you much. There are several visas statuses (F/J-1 for international students and H1B for workers, for example) that grant legal temporary residence, and for which holders would have to answer 'no' and they are not illegal aliens!

Absurd. Absurd from a senator from a state in desperate need of additional federal funding to help it still recover from Katrina. I think if people want to entertain such xenophobia, they should at least have the courtesy to wait for the next census. If they are going to be late to the tea party, let them pick up the tab.

Clearly, your just broadcast report concerning the cost of re-printing the Census Form is totally false. Again, your pathetic bias is obvious. Perhaps you can explain why re-printing a TEN question form will cost over $3 FOR EVERY PERSON IN THE COUNTRY based on your bogus report that the cost would be almost a BILLION dollars to add the "citizen" question. There is only one form for each address, not each body – what a farce. Quote your source!!!!!!!

Yes, that question SHOULD have been on there in the first place. How can you ever get a count of the true population without it. Those people who aren't legal have no rights (supposedly) so why do they spend so much time and money trying to apease them

Of course this should be one of the first questions on the form. This country has taken a wrong turn and is well on it's way to ruin because of asinine issues like this.

This is outrageous!!! The GOP complains about dem's being the "big spenders"? Please lets continue to let republicans flush and waste every dime we have and skew our constitution in which ever way it serves them best... By the by, isn't this the same guy who blew off the rape victim at a town hall meeting a little bit ago? Nice...

I think this goes beyond the Constitution...the real issue here is a Republican senator is proposing an action that will cost a billion dollars to enact when we all know any person who is NOT a US citizen will not answer that question. Here we have a senator from a party that overtly accuses our current Administration of wreckless spending and this Republican party constantly asserts that if they were in control of the White House our Country would be out of this financial crisis by now...a billion dollars to add a question that would largely go unanswered, really?

my question is does Senator David Vitter implies that the non us citizens that are legal residents do not count or do not have the right to be represented in the senate? they still pay taxes and are part of our comunity.

Absolutely --the census SHOULD ask whether a person is a citizen or legal resident.
WE should never be spending citizens tax money on ILLEGAL ALIENS.

This is definitely something that we should add to the Census. It is time that Americans stand up and stop catering to the illegals that plague our country. The money that it will cost to change the questionaire will be far surpassed by the money that these illegals will cost tax payers over the next 10 years.

Why spend upwards of a billion dollars to add a question to the census when that question won't even be answered truthfully anyway?

How many illegal immigrants (already wary of the federal governemnt and scared of being sent back to their place of origin) are really going to say they are not a US citizen on a questionaire that will allow the government to find them?

Sounds like a ridiculous waste of money to me.

i'm a la resident why are entertaining this nut.

Senator Vitter has something there... an attempt at a reasonable method to get an accurate count of the citizen/noncitizen ratio. All other numbers referred to by agencies to date are frankly guesswork and/or an extrapolation of numbers. While illegals will shrink from answering the question of citizenship or most likely lie to be consistent with counterfeit documents . . . an attempt should be made to get this count as changing the balance of representation of states in Congress is serious business and everything possible should be done to make sure that change is factually justified.

The question should be added . Weare trying to find out how many US taxpayers, voters actually live here.why should we count illegals they don't pay taxes and can't vote. Why should we count them when they are not a part of our country. It would be unfair to actually count them and decide how many representatives each state gets based on every one in that rather than how many citizens are in that state. Representatives are supposed to represent us not illegals.

I agree with Vitter's suggestion to add the question "Are you a Citizen?" to the census forms. The cost to reprint them is insignigicant compared to the billions that are being spent on other government programs that many find are ineffective. If Obama supporters are all for "Change", let's change things and get it right in this country for once. It would be a one time cost to make this change and from that point forward, the census would be much more accurate. The government has been stating for over 6 months now that they want fix what has been done in the past. Well, step up to the plate!

I agree-Americans have spent millions/billions on illegal immigrants-It's time that people realize that America have been footing the bill way to long-The first word says it all-ILLEGAL-This should help Americans understand the cost of "Healthcare" in the USA the current Bill does NOT INCLUDE these specific people-let alone we have to support the children that that are born in this country-regardless that the mother- will abandon the child at America's gate-We as Americans have the right to know and to be proctected from this.
Great idea!!!!!!

If the Census is to determine political representation, then it makes sense that it should know how many of the people counted are citizens. Those who are opposed to this have their own political agendas in mind and not what is best for the American people.

Confirmation of citizenship should be added to the census. But, you don't reprint the entire census at a cost of $1 billion. Simply do a sticker that is affixed to each form by the census taker interviewing the household. It's important that we count the true number of citizens vs. visitors living in the U.S.A. Let's get it right this time around.

I find it ridiculous that this lawmaker would advocate the unneccesary spending that he proposes . I am so sick of these legislators that want to tack on to every bill their stupid adjendas .I would think the people of Louisiana would want to send him packing.

My first reaction to finding out that the question of citizenship not being on the census was a mistake, one that I'm starting to wonder if not done purposely. If your taking a census, one of the very first questions should be of citizenship. I would think our government would want to know and understand exactly how many non-citizens are in the USA.

How ridiculous to count non citizens in the census. It is very obvious that it was intentional to leave the citizenship question out. One more step toward the liberal Dems giving our country away. They do lie, and they may find a total civil revolt when they try to make the illegals citizens. Why can't they just enforce the laws that have been placed on the books by those that came before them. ALL OUR CHILDREN WILL PAY FOR WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING. Tom from TEXAS

Sen Vitter should submit a proposal to have our legislators decide. Too late for such a process to affect present Census.

99% of all the citezens that are here illegally or not are hard workers. They do the jobs that most of use Americans are to lazy to do. We should count them. I think you have a congressman that is throwing a tantrum about possibly loosing a seat in the senate. He doesn't care how much money it's going to cost us. Well he says it's already costing us 15 BILLION!! So what another 1 billion. This is what's wrong with these lazy polititians. They don't care, it's not coming out of their pocket, so who cares! It's wrong and unfortunatly it's the way our elected officials think. I'm sadened the way our country has become.

And by the way your husband did nothing wrong. And shouldn't be treated as if he did. Keep fitting for him.

The question " Are you an American citizen ?" should have already been in the census. What is the harm in knowing whether the answer to that question. The gov't will know the answer anyway when someone applies for American citizen. I say put it in .

What a waist of money on this census. Intil this Government starts doing things that make sense for this country, Im not doing anything for them. To put it short, When I get my census it goes into the trash. Im not the only one that has that attitude. Many others has told me they will do the same.

I am not a U.S. Citizen yet. I am person living legally in the U.S. with authorization from DHS to work while USCIS takes forever to approve my Green Card application. So where doe that leaves Permanent Residents and the thousand of people like me who are not yet Citizen and whose Resident is pending with that census question. Either leave the question out of expand on it to find out everybody status.

I think it's an essential question... I hope the congressman prevails and gets it included. Citizenship is becoming a worthless distinction.

The Constitution says count the people- does not say what sex, age, income, religion, size of hourse -etc- all added to give clear picture of these people.
Simply asking if a citizen or not is no different. Counting legal citizens to determine the number of representatives a state has is crucial. These Representatives are representing the legal citizens of their District and allowing a count of ILLEGAL people to inflate their population in reality since the number of House members is a set number actually disinfranchises legal citizens and their vote in states that have smaller illegal populations or better inforce their laws.
I am sure a short one page addedeum could be aded at very minimual cost.

This is a waste of time and money. The census counts all the people and those that represent the people represent all the people. Are you a cititzen does not single out people illegally here because they would likely lie anyway. It's a bad question. If the Republicans want to waste time and money they should just waste it like they always have.

This country no longer cares about its citizens. We are too politically correct. No one should be offended to be asked if you are a citizen or here legally. True American citizens are now second class citizens in their own country. This needs to stop. What is wrong with coming to this country to be an American"? That means learing English, just as all our forefathers did. It does not mean your loyalty remains with the country and culture you left behind. It does not mean your forget your heritage, but you are in America now.
I am embarrased to see the course this country has taken regarding illegals. We dont' enforce our own laws. We are more concerned with what Mexico thinks than our own citizens. The politicians in Washington are not listening to those who elected them. Are there no politicians who truly care about American interests? The little guy? It appears not. A very sad state of affairs. Obama is doing nothing to "change" this problem.

Of course Americans have the right to know who is here legally/illegally. If you walked into your home and a stranger was sitting on your sofa, would you not ask them who they were and what they were doing in your home? Barbara Lee and the rest of the corrupt politicians distribute hundreds of billions of our tax dollars for services to illegal aliens and now they come up with yet one more way to aid and abet illegal aliens, their future subjects/voters.

Senator Vitter is promoting this bad idea for personal reasons to whip up xenophobia and anti-immigrant fervor to bolster his flagging re-election campaign. Vitter's proposal if adopted would likely result in a significant reduction in census response rates and is likely unconstitutional to boot.

Senator Vitter ought to get his own house in order before he proposes spending another billion dollars of our tax money pursuing his partisan agenda. I propose the addition of one additional single question to Senator Vitter's census forms. How much public money have you wasted from your U.S. Senate salary over the last 12 months paying hookers instead of attending to the interests of Louisiana and the country?

yea absolutely you should be asked if you are a citizen on the 2010 US census form ! Even going back to the time of the constition referring to the whole number of persons in a household and living here in the U S A . Not those that come up here work in the summer and then take themselves and the money they earned while here back to Mexico or whereever they came from for the winter .

Senator Vitter has a great point. The U.S. Census Form should inlcude the question "Are you a U.S. Citizen?" It's not fair that some States will loose Congressional Seats because they harbor large numbers of illigal immigrants at the expense of legal U.S. Citizens. California spends as much as 12 Billion Dollars per year to provide health care and education to illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense. To spend One Billion Dollars to ensure States and legal U.S. Citizens are counted and protected - not only seems like like a great investment, but only fair to legal U.S. Citizens! Senator Vitter's amendment should be supported.

Sen. Vitter should submit proposal to change law. Too late for this census

ABSOLUTELY the question of citizenship should be asked and answered.
Our ever-frugal government would never consider re-doing the forms.

As a business person (and a mom) I am REQUIRED to watch wasteful spending. It doesn't take a genius to order stickers made and add it to the form.
Simple.... inexpensive

Yes, I do think the question (Are you a U.S. citizen?) should be included on the census, however, do you really think people will answer this question honestly? I don't - my guess is that those who are here illegally would fear deportation.

However, if our government would go back to the way people used to be allowed into our country (Ellis Island, e.g.), and would monitor the borders more closely, we might not have this problem today.

It is definitely now fair that states like California, with a high number of illegals, should end up with a higher number of representatives vs. a state with few illegals. The number of state representatives should definitely be determined by the legal citizen count, but I'm not sure this question on the census form would be the solution to the problem.

Senator Vitter has a great point. The U.S. Census Form should inlcude the question "Are you a U.S. Citizen?" It's not fair that some States will loose Congressional Seats because they DO NOT harbor large numbers of illigal immigrants at the expense of legal U.S. Citizens. California spends as much as 12 Billion Dollars per year to provide health care and education to illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense. To spend One Billion Dollars to ensure States and legal U.S. Citizens are counted and protected – not only seems like like a great investment, but only fair to legal U.S. Citizens! Senator Vitter's amendment should be supported

Absolutely the question should be asked and answered. The census only occurs every 10 years, and we should not miss this opportunity to determine the number of non-citizens living in this country, legal or not. We must be the only country in the world to be too afraid to ask this question. Illegal immigration is a huge problem in the US, and we must begin to get a handle on the scope of the problem.

The people of the United States have a right to know how many US citizens are living in this country, as well as how many others are here and their legal status. It is especially important because the results determine representation in Congress. I am sick and tired of political correctness run amok. Has this country completely lost its sanity? It goes without saying that are politicians clearly have.

I won't buy the excuse that it will cost too much to reprint the forms. All the have to do is attach a gummed sticker to each form asking that question.

just another political ploy by republicans because they cannot identify with immigrants, minorities and in general te working class. ironic that their biggest constituency , business is moot on the point ,possibly because they benefit the most by using underpaid and under represented laborers...they should go read the words on the Statue of Liberty or eventhe most loved republican, Abraham Lincoln.

I noticed none of the incisive and unbiased reporters at the desk worried much at the cost of government mandating 5 paid sick days for all workers. The cost to business will be passed on to consumers in higher prices and poorer products and services. Nor did I find CNN's crack reporters dwelling on the hundreds of BILLIONS of "porkulus" $$$ given to pet projects and profligate, corrupt Dem state governments. But when it comes to a 450 million dollars to ensure the accuracy of the census – A CENSUS THAT WILL DETERMINE STATES" SHARES OF FED GOV"T LARGESS FOR THE NEXT DECADE – smug Mr. Roberts becomes a deficit hawk. Maybe you guys should play reruns of "Latino in America" so that you can further emphasize your corporate solidarity with illegal aliens. Come to think of it, that may be the only demographic you can tap for your abysmal ratings.

While the “citizen” question would be even more useful if it was able to actually detect legal vs. illegal status, the proposed amendment is not probing legal status, simply citizen status, which is somewhat reasonable as representation is primarily for citizens, not guests. Fact is, however, the legal status would be so wonderful to know, because representation should be optimally based upon legal residents, not even “citizen” status. There are many legal residents who are not citizens. Only illegals truly need to be weeded out from the count that representation is based on.

Ted has some issues with non-whites...I bet hes has a lot of love in his heart for himself.

Heidi
You need to better understand your government. They arte represented in the Senate. Each state has two Senators who represent all their population. This only applies to house members.
The statement that non-citizens should also be represented is ridiculous. If I live in England, France – heck anywhere else in the world am an American Citizen and there either legally or illegally should I expect the locally elected officials to answer to me instead of the legal citizens that elect them?

Fine and dandy to count everyone.. but being a U.S. citizen is a privilege, not an entitlement. You should be a citizen of the U.S.of A. to have a voice represent you in our government. Anyone visiting or staying at my home doesn't have the freedom/right to make decisions on how it runs. The only decision they have is whether they want to stay or not. The rest is left to family.

I am now a naturalized American (from Canada) but for many, many years I was a landed immigrant (with a green card.) Resident aliens, work, marry and pay taxes and occupy space in this country and therefore THEY are what you count in a census-NOT citizens. I had a job as a census taker and I know that the reason for the census is to count the NUMBER OF PEOPLE in the United States.

Absolutely the question concerning U.S. citizenship should be asked regardless of cost or impact to the schedule for taking the census. I agree with Senator Vitter's opinion that the INTENT of the founding fathers was to count citizens since the make-up of Congress depends on the results of the census. Does anybody think it is fair that California could gain a seat in Congress at the expense of one of Louisiana's seats if it is a result of illegal aliens and non-citizens? What are we coming to when illegals can have an impact on the make-up of Congress and the distrubution of Federal funds?

Yes, we should ask that question in order to make the census accurate. The cost of including this question is a lot but could possibly save the legal, tax paying American alot more. Also, it will will be cheaper and accomplish more than the so called bailout money we (tax paying Americans) gave to line the pockets of big companies and financial institutions CEO pockets. Ask the question and if it offends someone, so what.

It's an important thing to know - of the people living here, how many are US citizens. When we know that, then we can decide how we want to spend taxpayer's money. The answer to this question can tell us how effective our border patrol is, the needs of Immigration Service, and the number of non-citizens whose needs we have to meet . Apportionment is for representatin of citizens, not non-citizens.

Of course, we should know if the person being questioned on the census form is or is not a citizen. Congressional districts absolutely not be drawn using numbers that include non-citizen residents. The southwestern states would gain representatives due to the huge number of illegals who are breaking the law by being here. Representatives should represent citizens, not non-citizens. Of course, you can ask the question. Will the people answer it honestly, though?
What we need is enforcement of immigration laws. That will remove those who shouldn't be here in the first place from being around to even complete the form.

The number of representatives we have in Congress should not be determined by those who are here illegally. The easy answer on counting legal residents is to count them when they become citizens because not all legal residents are here to become citizens.

it is silly of all who feels that this question is relevent. it doesnt matter if the people counted are citizens or not. the point of the census is to have adequate coverage for everyone that is here. if people who are not citizens not be counted, then the funds that are allotted will still be misappropriated because you would have less money and more people. face it, non citizens are here and we need to have adequate geographical coverage of everyone so that our country runs smoother. u would have the same effect as with the health care, although people dont have insurance, the non insured are still paid for off of our backs, so why not include them anyway? tax payers money are not distributed because of any of your personal opinions, because you are not a legislater. u can say all day how u feel your money should be spent, but it is still up to your legislators, Republican or Democratic. i however, feel that if the question would make anybody feel any better, then add it next census or the wise guy Politician should have been bright enough to mak this argument much sooner. the question was never in any other census questionaire, so what significance would it have now after the billions of taxpayers dollars that it cost to generate the forms already. to me some of those people in Washington are really, really 3 cans short of a 6 pack.

When the constitution was written the United State was barely above a third world country. Any one looking for better economic prospects would have had a better chance in England or France. I doubt the framers could have imagined the eventual rise to economic domination that would cause the mass migration we currently have.

Constitutionally it would be illegal to ask the "Are you a citizen" question but I would support an amendment to the constitution to change the census language to "count citizens" or taking one step further, "count tax-paying citizens." As a citizen from Texas where this amendment would decrease the number of representatives the state would receive in the coming years, I still agree with the restriction. Texas has been a more vigilant steward of its artificially high number of representatives than California but government needs to be about fairness and counting non-citizens is not close to being fair.

Senator Vitter and many many others assume that they know what the "founding fathers" meant in the constitution. I doubt that any of us "know" exactly what they were thinking unless they wrote specifically what they were thinking. The Preamble to the Constitution declares the "We the People of the United States..." it does not say "We the Citizens of the United States...or "We the wealthy white men who are writing this document..." The document does not exclude anyone living in this country...it includes everyone "WE the PEOPLE..." I think this is a very important statement and tells us that the Founders wanted everyone included in what this country has to offer. Keep in mind, slaves, native americans, even women were not considered citizens at the founding...you had to be a property owner to vote back then...and all of those PEOPLE were counted in the census.

It's the census. That's what a census does, determines who and how many are living in the United States for purely demographic reasons and for determining how many representatives each state has in the federal government. I think its also important to know how many legal and non-legal residents are in the country. To govern properly, you need to know who your population is and what their needs are.

I do not believe the question should be added. Those that are here illegally would likely lie or not fill it out. I believe many of those that would not return the census would not have regardless.

The Census will be used to determine the districts in the states, ie how many representatives each state will have in Washington, right? Why should people who are temporarily in the country, whether legal or illegal (unless they have applied for citizenship) have any say about how many representatives from their state should go to Washington to run this nation. I dare say there are not many countries in this world that I could go to for a "visit" and be allowed to sway how their government representatives would be selected. Incredible that this should even be an issue. When did we decided that our country could and should be run in part by decisions made by people who are visiting our nation?

"why do liberals make this so hard. If they just went through the Socal Security data bank...."

Ha ha. It's not about making it hard or easy... it's about being shady so they can sneak stuff past American citizens.

we have to also take into consideration the stall tactic of Republican. they are trying to slow down everything related to this administration. the census is not Obama's idea, it has been in effect long b/4 i was even born..... Everybody should wake up and smell the tea. Republicans are stalling on everything from health care reform, (which they all proclaim to really want). they dont give a care about reform because they are selfish souls floating around in Washington pretending to be for the people. they stall about obvious winnable arguments, such as extending unemployment benefits, every time it comes to the floor, (see how much they care about you personally). they are jealous vicious souls whose only agenda is a personal one. if the people meant anything to any of them, they would not be trying to look at who might or might not vote for them next time, because that would not matter, their job is to serve the people and not look at it as if it cant get them votes or more lobbying money (which i feel are bribes and should be looked at), then they are not for it. Wake up people, another stall tactic. if the question makes sense, then put it in the next census. why reprint at the expense of taxpayers? if it is so meaningful all of a sudden then Mr Wise Senator Man, pose it now for next census along with the Birth Certificate all of a sudden presentation.

I would like to know what makes Senator David Vitter think they would tell the truth anyway. There is a reason that someone is in the U.S. ilegally ! So why waste anymore of tax payers money? Can put that money towards something useful.

Send out both forms – with the citizen question and without. I believe, by comparing both we will get a more accurate demographic picture.

No, because a population is the number of people( not citizen) that live in a region. Go back to school or do a geography class before hating others because of their national origin. Stop the hate people with all this citizenship mess.

This is a silly question to ask. The Senator wants us to believe that he is for the citizens of Louisiana and that he is doing them a service by thinking first that the reason that his state will lose one House seat b/c of non-citizens, when he is losing them b/c of Hurricane Katrina and the recession. The hardest hit states during tough economic times are states that have high ag industry... this includes most of the South. Second the Senator is missing a key point. The founding fathers used the phrase "WHOLE PERSON" because they were counting black slaves as partial people, the 3/5th's clause of the Article in question. They counted African American slaves but they were not concidered citizens. Even if they lived in the North and were free they still were not concidered citizens. Lastly nowhere in the Constitution does it say anything about needing to know all the other information that the Census asks. I believe that these Senators and Reps. mean well but they need to get their facts stright.

When are we going to abide by our constitution? Illegals are not to be in our country and therefore should NOT be counted. Our government needs to crack down on them and send them back to their own country. Why are we so afraid to up-hold our laws? Our population has gone out of control and illegals should not be here in the first place.

I’m really dumbfounded. Why would we adjust, or alter the representative count based on the number of illegal immigrants. I suppose we will also change the constitution to allow an illegal immigrant to be appointed to the house, to represent their illegal constituents .

I would hope the necessary changes would be made to the census form. I realize there is a cost in dollars but is a necessity to insure that True American Citizens are represented.. Think of the dollars spent as equal in dollars to duck crossings, or 20 minutes of subsidy to AIG. I believe my true representation is more important!!!

What a ridiculous and expensive idea!. Our country is spending billions of dollars every day, so let's just spend another billion to reprint some more paperwork.

Even if the forms are reprinted, who in their right mind would believe that illegal aliens would answer the question truthfully.

Yes, the question should be on the Census form. From this count, non-citizens should not be used in calculations toward selecting the number of Representatives from the area. Only US citizens should be counted for this. Non-citizens should not be allowed to skew results! In this scenario everyone would be counted, fulfilling the Constitutional law, but not favoring states with large populations of illegal immigrants or legal immigrants with pending citizenship.

"Yes", the question are you a US citizen should be on the census, These state's shouldn't be able to count those people here in this country illegally. My idea would be for these states to do more to deport those people, and not thrive more than other state just because they can't handle their illegal immigrants. Leaving us the tax payer and our great country to foot the bill, from my understanding this country already has such a large deficit. The cost of reprinting is just a fraction of what we would be out on the illegal's

It's laughable to argue against including the citizenship question in the census questionnaire because it would be too costly. That's a minuscule red herring. Save the cost-worries argument when you report the health care debate – that is a relevant question.

Reprint the questionnaire and include the question.

Debbie tells about injustice at Indiana University. Debbie, the University of ILLINOIS' top dog RECENTLY resigned as one of the guilty culprits in the incredible scandal involving preferential treatment of certain students. For years they had been accepting applicants who were unqualified or were of lesser intelligence and lower test scores, and denying access to others who were more qualified. All illegal, but that's Illinois, and certainly people who were denied access over the years, their families and friends, are focusing on a big cleanup. Those officials, like the Judges who unjustly sent young people to reform-type institutions and got mega-$ kickbacks, are guilty of destroying futures and lives of our AMERICAN children. The judges are going to jail, and so should the Univ of Illinois crooks. Sounds like what is going on at Indiana is also illegal and should be passed to a Constitutional Lawyer for review/consultation... in another state if possible. Sounds like some "officials" there are pushing their own agenda... are they friends of the Illinois crooks? Hope that you get a pack of lawyers to hound them. Good Luck, this should not be happening in our institutes of higher learning that we support with our money and entrust with our children’s' futures... it is anti-American and must be stopped. Just think, what kind of graduates has Illinois turned out to work in our courts, businesses, social institutions? Those grads KNOW they were "illegally" given access to the school, and would now be people used to getting what they want illegally. Trouble inflicted on us by the Univ of Illinois greedy idiots... and trouble brewed by the Univ of Indiana with their twisted judgments.

Asking a question about citizenship is neither unconstitutional nor unusual as the U.S. census has been asking that question or a similar one as far back as 1870. The 1870 census asked whether the individual was a male citizen of the US 21 yrs of age or older (women didn't count then so the same question was not asked of them).

The 1900, 1920 and 1930 census each asked 3 questions about citizenship, one of which was whether the person was naturalized.

I agree witht he question of "Are you a Citizen?" We should get an idea of how many peope are illegal and how many people are legal in the USA. Illegal immigrants may not answer the question, or answer it untruhfully, or they may not even fill out the census form. In either way the question is needed on the form. As far as the money issue, well, lets take the money that is being used on programs that are not needed, like bailing out the big banks for mistakes that they should not have made.

Only US Citizens should be counted in the census. Only those who are legal to vote in the US.

Are you a U.S.citizen?Absolutely...That's a100 percent question.Also
Representatives are supposed to represent us not illegals.Get it right in this country,once for all..

Debbie,

It infuriates me your husband is in trouble for asking the question: "Do you speak English?". It also infuriates me that on almost every recorded phone message when dialing, you are instructed: "For English, press 1." This is America, isn't it? And our native language is English, isn't it? So why doesn't the message assume you do speak English and the instruction state: "For Spanish, press 1."?

And, the government is concerned with the cost of reprinting the census forms - why aren't they concerned about how much it costs to print everything you see in English AND in Spanish? It would be nice if our government would cater to it's own citizens for a change, instead of illegals.

Years ago the census intelligentsia created questions such as how many flushing toilets are in your home... That's true!! Such questions were so annoying to citizens (we didn't have a lot of illegals then) that they either gave ridiculous answers to ALL questions or tossed the forms in the garbage. People were outraged and that type of questioning never happened again. This go-around people have been outraged at the antics of A.C.O.R.N. and have demanded that the organization be excluded from census gathering... and the census bureau obliged the citizens' demands. The next problem to be fixed is to ensure illegal aliens are not given respect due citizens and that they be excluded from the census. Including them would overpower the accurate distribution of representation, and illegally funnel government benefits to those communities. Funny how that word used to relate to American laws and justice but has been twisted to represent foreign people and foreigners' rights. We must learn to speak our own language again... English, or lose the meaning of its words.

ABSOLUTELY there should be something in the Constitution that we should question if the person is a U.S. Citizen. And, I do not agree that those who are just becoming a citizen should be allowed even though most intentions are meant for good. A person who is the citizen of the United States of America should be the ONLY person who is allowed to vote here in the USofA! I'm baffled to find that there is nothing in the Constitution stating this anyway! And as for the comment about not being able to ask if they can speak English or not is ABSURD! I can't agree more! People in America should speak ENGLISH as that is the native language our forefathers intended we speak! Though it can be broken language, it should still be spoken and no other person should be able to steal that right away! There are way too many illegals in our country taking jobs away from us here in the US. They are sending their money straight back to their people in their native country! WRONGO!!!!! That's probably the main reason our Country is going broke. I'm so ashamed that our Country has allowed such socialism and some communistic thinking to come into our Country we call America, the land of the FREE, after personally I have a cousin serving our Country in the Army, a cousin in the Marines (RANKED HIGH, I must add!) and my daddy, my grandfathers, and MANY other relatives who risked their lives to help keep this Country FREE!!! STOP ALL THIS JUNK OF TAKING OUR RIGHTS AWAY!!!! Start focusing on what is REALLY important – keeping illegals and terrorists (and their type of movements) out of this Country. Start implementing the law and follow through with the consequences (such as prison – no rights whatsoever, death penalty – where necessary, and stop allowing these people who are imprisoned to make a living and/or go to college to become "something.") MAKE THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO EARN AND WORK AT GETTING THEIR DEGREES AND SUCH AFTER THEY GET OUT OF PRISON!!!!! We're only causing our own heartaches here in America by allowing these things to go free. Those who break the laws of this Country deserve harsh consequences – if they did, there wouldn't be so much crime! I'm stopping here, because I can go on and on knowing how my rights as an American are going by the way-side while the ones who have not earned their rights take them from me!!! UGH!

ADD A STICKER!!!

Written by John (above)

"I am a non-resident and I pay taxes at the local, state and federal level. If non-citizens are not taken into consideration for state representation then I want my taxes back. No taxation witout representation, isn't that a truely american concept?"

John, maybe it's time to start packing your non-resident bags and head back home! Better yet, maybe it's time the US government start enforcing law and deporting illegal ingrates like you. You are part of the problem.

Before going into this question, perhaps we should know what those 10 census questions are.
Here they are, reworded for brevity:
1. How many people live in this residence as of 4/1/2010?
2. Any others staying here, not listed on question 1?
3. Do you rent; occupy for free; own with current mortgage/loan; or own free and clear, no loan/mortgage?
4. Your phone number (for clarifying answers, if needed)
5. First and last name of each resident.
6. Male or female?
7. Person's age as of 4/1/2010 and date of birth.
8. Are you Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin?
9. What is your race?
10. Does this person sometimes live/stay elsewhere (like college, shared custody, prison, military)

Now, my take on this controversy is this-the Democrats want everyone counted so they can keep the numbers of state reps up in those areas with large illegal resident populations. Generally speaking, there are a lot of illegal residents in lower income class districts, they don't vote, but that doesn't matter, it just swells the population numbers and allows for redistricting, adding more reps. if need be, and all that goes with that.

The Republicans want the number of illegal residents noted so they can counteract the Democrats by holding down the number of reps from these lowing income areas, which will lean towards being Democrats. How? Well, since illegal residents can't vote, they may think they can control districts by stressing that point.

The illegal residents (and their advocates) are concerned that illegals may be rounded up. Yeah, if I were a law-breaker, I'd be concernd too.

As a legal citizen and taxpayer, I want to know who's living in my country, state, neighborhood-what is the ratio? Where are my tax dollars going? Am I paying to help the poor citizens of MY country or those of another country who are here illegally? Welfare programs, school districts, emergency rooms, etc are strained by an excess of illegal residents in some areas. Quite frankly, if someone does not want to live in an area with high illegal populations, census data can help hem make an informed decision. If you can ask questions 8 and 9, why not ask if someone is a legal resident? Actually, why do we need questions 8 and 9? America is a melting pot, but you should be a legal citizen, that means arriving here LEGALLY. And if you didn't, we want to know where most of those people are.

Finally, do I have to say it..... Homeland Security? Certainly most illegals are not a national security threat, but for the few who could be, it might be nice to have a heads up. Also, in case of a time of war, it would be nice to know just how many eligible citizens there are out there.

So every group has their own reasons to have or not have that question included. I think, in the big picture, having that info/being informed is more beneficial than not. I say, include it.

I am a lawful permanent resident of the United States, I pay my taxes, and I am the potential benefactor of several general governmental services for which I pay for (Medicare, Social Security, Workers Compensation, etc.).

Census results are used in many ways, much of which is used in accurately determining the cost of government services. If non-US citizens are excluded in the census, Federal, State and Local governments will be unable to accurately project the cost of certain programs, thus causing further financial mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.

While I understand the animosity towards foreigners in the United States (I get it on a daily basis, generally in a joking manner), it's in the best interest of US citizens and Federal, State and Local governments to include foreigners in its census.

I think this is an important question that SHOULD be asked. I think it should be a mandatory question on the census.

As an Asian immigrant, we are suppose to be minority and we do not enjoy all the benefit the so call minority get. We do not ask for special benefit. We just want equal right and our right is not taken by other minority.
We came legally with very little and work hard for what we have. I would like to see the true census of the total number of citizens, legal immigrants and illegals; so the government can make the right decision for managing the country.

Jackie, those founders who wrote the constitution were illigally came to this country.

I don't see anything wrong with asking the question, but is anyone naive enough to think those pushing it, did not want it 2 years ago?

This did not just pop into someones head last week, they simply waited until it was too late, in order to maximize the amout of media coverage they could get.

The request is not about representation in congress, its about fear mongering over immigration. The timing proves that.

There are people here who are permanent residents. They aren't US Citizens, but they live here, pay taxes, collect social security, etc. What ever happened to banning "taxation without representation"?

Also, you can't learn English overnight. It takes several years, and you never fully learn it as every once in a while you'll encounter a word or phrase you haven't come across before.

Finally, if the question were put on the census, wouldn't people simply lie about it anyway? What's the point?

TO TED:

I love it when whites try to spin slavery by saying we sold ourselves into slavery. WRONG! While there were instances where kings did sell their people into slavery, the vast majority were stolen from where they were captured. The bottom line – my ancestors did not come here by choice the way other immigrants – including YOUR ancestors, did. Stop ranting and do something constructive.

Somehow during the late 1800s/early 1900s when this country was overrun by immigrants from both Europe and Asia, the U.S. census managed to continue without asking people if they were a citizen or not. So why do we suddenly have to do it now? There are illegal aliens in every state in the Union. Get over it.

I am amazed at the amount of people who are freakin out about this issue. Do you have nothing else in your world that this is something to be upset about. I know people are frightened by change but this is stupid.
Let them ask we need an acurate or close to accurate account of who lives here.
This is the problem with this country. We should pull together to make a stronger country and that seems to be the biggest challenge of all.
You are all freaked out way to much of over a simple issue.
Instead of pulling together it is just one more chance for some of you to find a reason to complain. Maybe this is the only way you feel like you count in the world is to yell loudly about nothing.
Get a life get a dog get a personality... As for the whole english speaking conversation please recall that a large part of the people who made this great country could not speak english when they got here either. No i don't think people should come here without going through the proper channels. But it is no reason for us to act like we have no class. That is what i get about you who have written some of these comments. Grow up people have some self respect .

I think the story is a little misleading. The proposed amendment clearly speaks to reapportionment based on US citizenship.
Simply asking the question on the census is a way of gathering data. How this data is used is a separate question.
I would think that the government would want to know how many US citizens there are in addition to how many people are living in the US. If there is a disproportionally number of non US citizens living here then maybe some effort should be spent on getting them to be US citizens. Maybe we need another Representative or two that doesn't specifically represent a State, but rather represents non US citizens.

I have a question for those of you that have posted. What is the difference between a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, and an illegal resident? From the comments I've read it doesn't seem that the majority don't know the difference. Just jumping on any opportunity to bash immigrants.

To put it simply, a U.S. citizen pays taxes and can vote. A permanent resident has the legal right to reside in the US, pays taxes, can serve in the armed forces, but cannot vote; and, has the right to eventually apply to become a US citizen. An illegal resident does not have the legal right to reside in the US. So, asking if you are a US Citizen alone is not a full representation of the population of the US.

Everyone posting on here seems to think one thing: non-citizen = illegal. Completely NOT the case. One can have a green card or a variety of visas and live LEGALLY in this country. The only difference between these non-citizens and citizens is they simply cannot vote. This is a legitimate question to add to the questionnaire if the results are used to make political decisions.

Are you a US Citizen? - Absolutely NOT.
However, I am a LEGAL resident for 20 years, I speak English, and pay taxes like everyone else. I am not allowed to vote in either federal, state or district elections.
When discussing this question, PLEASE discern between citizens, legal residents, and then illegals/undocumented. Not every non-citizen is automatically a criminal.

So now discrimination is ok? Great, then let's put that right under "Are you heterosexual? That way we can kill two birds with one stone. Great thinking!

You add question, but without validation, legal and illegal will all check US citizen. Illegals have no problem falsifying documents, after all they are here illegally.

Did anyone read the passage from the constitution? They included indentured servants AND slaves (3/5's compromise!) None of those people were citizens, yet they were counted for the purpose of reapportionment!

Ted, while I consider myself a social "liberal:, I don't disagree with most of what you posted. I too think the question should be asked and that illegal aliens (they are NOT "immigrants" in the true sense of the word) should not be counted in our census nor receive ANY benefits from this country. But be fair – all you conservatives idol – Reagan – is the one that legalized 20 million illegals back in 88. W didn't want to stand up for legal Americans either (whether foreign born or not, LEGAL Americans) This, unfortunately, is not one party or the other – it's both. ALL our "representatives" are so cowardly and concerned with seeming racist they won't stand up and enforce our laws

Since Sen. Bitter is so "concerned" about the census, maybe he will address the component in the constitution dealing with what constitutes a "whole person". As for some comments, the subject of citizenry wasn't addressed in the Constitution back then. There were no definitions of what constituted a citizen and what did not except for the issue of dealing with slaves. Republicans need a scare tactic, and minorities are it. Also, if Republicans are so convinced the President is a socialist, why not move to impeach him?

A better question might be are you qualified to vote? Or do you meet the criteria necessary to vote in the US? Asking about citizenship is like asking are you living in the US illegally? Only a very few would admit to being here illegally. Social security numbers are meaningless as countless non-citizens have them.
And please stop the "iberals are responsible for all of this" nonsense. Non-citizens have been living and working in this country for close to a century – have only Liberals been in contol for that period of time? FYI the answer is NO.

It's disgusting to see so much xenophobia and ignorance in the responses. Not many people complaint about the race-based gerry-mandering that has taken place in our country for decades. Ignorance leads to xenophobia, xenophobia places this country in downward spiral.

No no, if you ask that, a lot of folks won't bother to fill it out in fear of INS. The forms are already printed out. Would cost too much to add that dumb question anyway.

OK – this isn't a citizen/illegal issue – it's not that cut and dried.

What about legal permanent residents?? They pay taxes, contribute to their communities and are here perfectly legally. How do you differentiate them from the illegals if the only question you're asking is about citizenship???

Roxie – you state "A better question might be are you qualified to vote? Or do you meet the criteria necessary to vote in the US? Asking about citizenship is like asking are you living in the US illegally?"

Perfectly legal permanent residents/resident aliens are here legally and due to non citizenship status (whether by choice or because the process is a lengthy one) do not meet the necessary criteria to vote.

I'm glad the question was omitted. The information gained is useless.

The citizenship question is always asked on the form. See question 23 on the 1930 census. Why doesn't the media fact check the statements from government organization?

Vitter? Are you KIDDING me? Why should we listen to anything that self-serving jerk has to say? He's trying to wrap himself in the flag of immigrant-hating, hoping we'll all forget how weird and UnAmerican his own 'family values' are.

The question should be asked, along with the choice for Permanent Residents. Representatives represent citizens, not all the population.

To anna: Our Founding Fathers did not come here illegally – there were no laws in this land barring them at the time.

To MW in MD: Study history – natives of Africa were capturing other natives of Africa to use as slaves and to sell to others as slaves. Slavery is not an American invention, and Blacks were not the only people enslaved. Africa, Europe, and Asia were at it long before America picked up the practice.

To not ask the question is un-American. And, as we all know, it's all about $.

Some of these comments are very disturbing. Like: "We've been invaded by Mexico and other countries and need to not count those invaders." Umm we were the original invaders and we took the west from Mexico by invading thier land! Also the comments about paying taxes are misinformed. In fact a large percentage of non-citizens (illegals and legals without citizenship) pay local, state, and federal taxes and they deserve representation! NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

I am a legal permanent resident (I am a British citizen). I work and pay taxes. Mr Vitter, if you don't want me to count in the population, please refund my taxes.

The question,"Are you a US citizen?" should have been included in the cencus. And the basis of this question would be to determine how many representatives each state would be authorized.

The 14th Amendment states the "counting of whole persons" for the purpose of deterining respresentation for each state. Intially it was only white males that were to be counted. Amendments to the US Constitution now includes all individual regardless of race or sex.

There is still one stipulation that has not been changed from the original document. For the purpose of determining representiation, only those that can legally vote shall be counted. In order to legally vote, you have to be a US Citizen.

The real question should be "Are you a tax-paying citizen?" Because the free-loaders should really not have a voice.

If David Vitter's staff thought this up, then I'm automatically against it.

I'm a not a US citizen. I was born in Texas.

This shows how short sighted people truly are. The people complaining about all of the illiegal immigrants are suggestting that finding out how many illegals there are is so critical that we should ignore the Constitution (some great citizens, huh?). Well, if they think they already know how many illegals they are-why ask? And if they do not know-why manufacture the issue? And by the way-both legal AND illegal immigrants pay taxes-so why shouldn't they be counted? Finally, no one has ever suggestted that the Census purpose was to count citizens-hence the counting of slaves as 3/5 people-even though they could not vote and did not pay taxes.

In 2006 it was estimated that there were approximately 12.1 million "legal permanent residents" (green card holders) living in the US.

So, to repeat what some others have said, not all non-citizens are illegal.

This should totally be allowed. The point of the census is not to discriminate against people, but to count how many people live in each state to as to accurately grant that state the number of representatives. Illegals and non-citizens cannot vote, so why should they be counted? They should not be treated as less of a person for it, but they can't vote, and the census figures out the needed number of representatives for eligible voters. As the senator points out, California has more non-citizens than Louisiana, and his state will lose seats if they are counted, despite being unable to vote. I'm not a citizen and I think this should be added!

Also, SSN number data base? Really people. People double up on those all the time. Useless.

If this question does make it onto the form, I hope they take into account that there can be multiple people living in a home who are not all citizens or non-citizens.

For example, I am a US Citizen. My husband is not. He has a green card. Our children are dual citizens of the US and their father's home country. We host an exchange student who is here on a J-1 visa.

There had better be more than one box! I know we aren't the only family in America with this particular scenario!

The government can print whatever it likes on the form. I will only fill out the part that is required by the constitution: how many people live here? Everything else I consider an unnecessary infringement on my privacy.

There is nothing wrong with the government wanting to know who is a citizen and who is not. We need to know who is living in the country. We all know that there are millions of immigrants living among us who are not here legally. This is a problem that needs a solution, but no solution can be devised until we know who is who and how many there are.

Our fathers, their fathers, and their fathers wanted cheap labor, and they encouraged illegal immigration. I have lived on the Mexican border all my life. I have lived and worked among folks with a very murky immigration status since I got my first job in 1963. We are not going to deport ten or twenty million people, many of whom are parents to or married to an American citizen. But, we need to straighten all of this out and come up with a new immigration policy.

Personally, I think the population of America needs to shrink, not grow, and I am opposed to all immigration of any kind. Our infrastructure will simply not generate that much more electricity, purify that much more water, educate that many more children, and process that much more sewage.

I don't know about that "JOHN" We here in the US have plenty of TAXATION and to my knowledge we have no Representaion in Washington or at any government level what so ever, only deep pockets and thiefs.......

No need to reprint the forms, just bust a move and kick out all the illegals before 2010.

No Roxie; not only liberals have been in power for the last 100 years. They are the ones, though, that want to tar and feather and ridicule those of us who think that if you are in this country illegally then you are committing a crime. Their political correctness is sickening both to me and to the overall wellbeing of this country. To the person above who said he was a non resident and works and pays taxes here my question is are you here on a work visa or some other form of legal entry. If not GO HOME!

DJ in Denver, well said....as if someone here illegal was filling out the census in the 1st place or would tell the true if ask...I mean really lets move on to bigger issues

Only citizens of the US should be counted for representation. The question (Are you a US citizen?) should be added to the census form. I doubt, as Carol Costello said, that it would cost a billion dollars to reprint.

I am a genealogist who gets most of my ancestors history from the census. The federal censuses of 1870 and 1880 asked place of birth and the parents place of birth.

Censuses of 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 requested place of birth and parents place of birth. Year of immigration to the US and citizen or alien.
The NY STATE censuses of 1905 and 1915 also requested the number of years in the US and citizen or alien.

The illegal aliens a financial drain but what worries me is the terrorist already here who will never be counted because of the continued lenience of our government..

I don't see a blog for why farmers are hiring illegal aliens. And, why they will not be even a whisper on the census?
Knowing farmers in our area, and being very familar with these people. The rant on how Americans will not do these jobs is totally a large falsehood. They will not hire Americans, or do so for just a short while.
Farmers do pay more than $5.00 an hour, most are getting $10 or more. Along with collecting food stamps as most are paid under the table. With free medical, free housing, and, the biggest triumph is farmers are subsidized to hire them. Why? They do not have to have workman's comp, withholding taxes, any accidents are paid by the state. No frear of insurance claims, las suits, etc. They do not have to pay overtime, as most of these workers work sometimes 14 hour days. no lunch breaks, and as recently as few days ago, they allow children to work. Not to mention the side benefits of sexual abuse.
House maids, and other domestic help, usually include sexual benefits for the "employer". Some work for only not a wage but for housing and food. I lived in Calif for awhile, and how many in apts had "maids".
If they forced the coverage of all employees, and, end subsidizing these people for hiring them, and, gave a bill for all food stamps and benefits, all these illegals would go home. And farmers would be forced to hire Americans. I have seen checks for the ones not getting paid under the table for $1800 and more dollars per week. These people are making some dang good money. Working seasonal, they go home and do not have to work the rest of the year. Some collect checks from the government in that time also. Amazing.
Go try getting a farm job and see, unless you are alien, they suddenly are not hiring......

only a moron would not ask if you are a us citizen

Concerning the 2010 Census: What you broadcast this morning is wrong, and the congressmen who claimed that what Vitter is doing is divisive and illegal are wrong. Yes, the Constitution leaves voter requirements and registration to the separate states, but please read the Constitution in its entirety.

Senators Vitter and Bennett are merely reiterating what is written in the Constitution as amended by the 14th, 19th and 26th Amendments. Section I of the 14 Amendment defines citizens as: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Section II of the 14th Amendment clearly states that “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 when the right to vote at any election . . . is denied to any of the male (amended by the 19th Amendment to include females) inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age (amended by the 26th Amendment to include 18 year olds), and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged (read non-citizens and convicted felons) . . . the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male (and female: 19th Amendment) citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens (and female: 19th Amendment) twenty-one years of age (eighteen years of age: 26th Amendment) in such State.” All are counted, but apportionment of representatives shall be based on those who are citizens eligible to vote in the separate states of the United States.

Please note:
“You may register to vote in California if:
─You are a United States citizen
─You are a resident of California
─You are at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the next election)
─You are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction. For more information on the rights of people who have been incarcerated, please see the Secretary of State's Voting Guide for Inmates.
─You have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent”

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

California—as I imagine in most states—does not permit non-citizens the right to vote. Therefore, non-citizens cannot be counted for apportionment under the provisions of the 14th Amendment.

YES. This question is fair game. If you're here illegally however, then I would tell you to look up the definition of ILLEGAL and abide by it.