Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is making headlines with her groundbreaking lawsuit aimed at stopping the census from counting illegal aliens. Her bold move marks the first action of its kind in the nation. Hanaway’s announcement came on Friday, where she made it clear that she believes the current system is unconstitutional and unfairly dilutes the rights of American citizens. “United States citizens have a right to representation, NOT illegal aliens,” she stated, stressing a point that resonates with those who feel their voices are being overlooked in the political arena.

At the heart of Hanaway’s argument is the assertion that illegal aliens are “commandeering the path to the White House,” compromising elections and undermining fair representation for Missouri residents. The Attorney General argues that the inclusion of illegal aliens in census counts effectively steals congressional seats and electoral votes from states that follow immigration laws, like Missouri, and reallocates them to states she describes as “open border” jurisdictions. The stakes are high, with an estimated 11 congressional seats and billions in funding potentially shifting from states like California and New York to Missouri if the lawsuit succeeds.

In her statement, Hanaway articulates a powerful viewpoint: “The DOC and the Census Bureau’s current policy of counting illegal aliens in the census tabulation is unjust, unlawful, and unconstitutional.” This clear and direct language highlights her commitment to ensuring that federal representation aligns with legal residency status. According to Hanaway, the current policy represents a deviation from the intent of the framers of the Constitution and the principles laid out in the Fourteenth Amendment, which she claims would not endorse a system that allows such substantial representation to individuals who are in the country unlawfully.

The history of counting illegal aliens in the census is contentious. The practice was instituted during the Carter Administration in the 1980 Census, a decision that Hanaway believes has far-reaching implications. In a strong indictment of past policies, she notes that 15 million illegal aliens now potentially receive congressional representation. This systemic issue, according to Hanaway, leads to what she calls a hijacking of representation for lawful residents, denying them the resources and political clout they would otherwise claim.

Looking back, she references President Trump’s memo in July 2020 that sought to exclude illegal aliens from census counts. Though met with legal challenges from states like California and New York, the Supreme Court ultimately vacated those injunctions, allowing the Biden Administration to revert to the previous practice of including illegal immigrants in apportionment calculations. This shift, Hanaway posits, directly robbed Missouri of an additional congressional seat and vote in the Electoral College, further skewing representation in favor of larger, more liberal states.

In an interview with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, Hanaway articulated the potential benefits of her lawsuit, saying, “If we win, not only will 11 House seats be reallocated from places like California to places like Missouri, but with those House seats also go electoral votes.” Her assertion reinforces her legal argument and presents a compelling case for those who prioritize representative fairness and wish to see a return to traditional immigration law enforcement.

The case led by Hanaway reflects not just legal maneuvering; it captures a profound sense of the ongoing national debate over immigration and representation. It encapsulates concerns about the essential rights of citizens in the face of policies perceived as favoring those who do not adhere to legal entry processes. As this lawsuit progresses, the outcomes will likely resonate far beyond Missouri, impacting larger discussions on how the nation processes demographics and distributes power at a foundational level.