In response to concerns raised by immigration experts regarding the potential influence of illegal immigrants on the U.S. electoral system, Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) has introduced the “Equal Representation Act.” This legislative proposal aims to address the perceived distortion in the democratic process caused by the inclusion of illegal immigrants in the census count for apportionment purposes.
The issue gained attention following President Biden’s executive order in 2021, which directed the U.S. Census Bureau to count the population of each state regardless of immigration status. Experts warn that this could impact the allocation of House of Representatives seats and Electoral College votes.
According to estimates by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, approximately 16.8 million illegal immigrants were residing in the United States as of June 2023. This sizable population could potentially account for about 22 House seats, based on current calculations.
Senator Hagerty emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and noncitizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map.”
The proposed “Equal Representation Act” seeks to prevent illegal immigrants from being included in the apportionment of congressional districts and Electoral College votes. This initiative reflects concerns raised by experts such as Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, who views the distortion of democratic mechanics due to illegal immigration as unacceptable.
Lora Ries, Director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, underscored the importance of shedding light on this issue, especially in light of the current influx of immigrants.
As the debate over immigration and its impact on the electoral system continues, the introduction of the “Equal Representation Act” by Senator Hagerty highlights efforts to address concerns regarding the fairness and integrity of the U.S. electoral process.