By Manny Ruiz 
Co-Publisher
The Hispanic PR Blog
Republican U.S. Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and Robert Bennett (R-UT) are proposing an amendment that would require a question about the citizenship and immigration status of every person being counted in the 2010 Census. According to Vitter’s own press release the reason they’re urging for passage of this amendment is to stop states with large populations of undocumented immigrants from having their numbers count towards house reapportionment.
Numerous Hispanic groups, including the Hispanic National Bar Association, are vehemently opposing this measure on the grounds that forcing the Census bureau to ask for proof of citizenship in counting people is akin to asking wolves to count chickens. Undocumented immigrants – and even Latinos like me who believe this question is fundamentally wrong – will boycott the Census, which is precisely what’s behind Vitter’s amendment.
The Republican Party, of which I was a proud member of until turning Independent in 2006, has lost its way in what is clearly a relentless march against minorities and particularly Hispanics. Maybe the GOP is resigned to losing all Latinos for years in every election but if the United States Census Bureau wants to get a true picture of who lives and works in our great nation then the divisive Vitters/Bennet amendment better be defeated promptly. The longer this proposed amendment lingers – even if eventually defeated – the tougher the Census Bureau’s task will be to count everyone in 2010.
As long as the GOP continues to demonstrate practical ambiguity and double standards on such issues as fiscal policy, energy, civil rights, morality and the role of religion in government I will be suspicious of it, but any politician in my district, county or state, red or blue, that takes or attempts to take any action to dilute the legal or political powers of Latinos my family and I will actively work against with all the recourse at my disposal. I have seen the contemporary truth concerning race relations, civil rights and political representation in the U.S. after being outside the country for 15 years and realize the struggles for equality of opportunity and respect continue, and for the same reasons that they did in the 60’s and 70’s.
I agree with the amendment. Only LEGAL U.S. residents should be counted. Illegal Aliens are NOT Americans and they have no desire to become Americans. They only come here to use up our resources and get everything for free that hard-working Americans have to pay for like healthcare and education. They do not have a voice. They are criminals sneaking over the boarder. They should be sent back and told to follow the laws of the U.S. if they wish to gain legal entry into the country. My friends from Asia and Europe followed the proper channels and are extremely grateful to live in the United States. They immediately learned English and work hard to excel at school. They want to better themselves, not live off public aid.