States welcome illegal immigrants for 2010 census

The 2010 census is about to get underway and each head counted can lead to big money for the state. That in mind many states have started reaching out to illegal immigrants to encourage them to be counted.

The 2010 census is the head count that is taken in the United States every ten years to determine the number of citizens within the country. The census helps to determine funding and resource allocation amongst other things for states. Now states have started to court illegal immigrants in an effort to get them to fill out the census form this spring. In the past illegal immigrants have been scared that by coming forward they run the risk of persecution and deportation. States are working to convince these immigrants that it is safe and information provided won't be used against them. Each person counted not only can lead to more funding but it can also lead to more Congressional representation, which could mean even more money to a state. So in the end each head really does matter. The Vice Mayor for the city of Phoenix, Michael Nowakowski said, "It helps us build our hospitals, schools, parks, libraries." The Commonwealth of Virginia is finding it difficult to get folks to register. According to Bill Vaughan, the county demographer for Prince William county, "In some cases, they're being told, don't cooperate." Prince William county made headlines in 2007 as they aggressively cracked down on all illegal immigrants and undocumented residents. Nearby Fairfax county's Sharon Bulova, chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors noted that each resident counted is worth roughly $1000 to the county. Others contend that counting illegal immigrants would throw-off the results. Some states, like California that have more illegal immigrants will possibly unjustly get additional funding.