re: Should Illegal Aliens count towards congressional representation?

It’s a more complicated question than most give it credit for, and here’s why.

The presence of illegals in a state means that that state’s resources are, to some extent, used by illegals.

The presence of illegals is the result of the federal government having failed to enforce its immigration laws.

A state hasn’t the authority to deport illegals.

Doesn’t that state have the right to say to the feds?, “If you won’t get rid of them, and they’re using our resources, we’re counting them for purposes of representation.”

ETA: What I’ve explained is a somewhat hypothetical situation. The two biggest states in terms of this are California and Texas, who are mirror images of each other in a way:

- California wouldn’t take the stance I mention above because it dares the feds to deport, which blue California doesn’t want.

- Texas wouldn’t take this stance because counting illegals legitimizes their presence here, which red Texas doesn’t want.

But imagine if New Hampshire were in this position. I guarantee they’d push to count their illegals if it gave them another seat in the house.