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What is Missouri’s lawsuit about regarding the census?
Missouri's lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, seeks to exclude undocumented immigrants from census counts used for apportionment. The state argues that this would better reflect the citizen population and improve political representation. The case challenges the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which includes all residents regardless of legal status.
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How could excluding undocumented immigrants affect politics?
Excluding undocumented immigrants from census counts could shift political power, especially in states with large immigrant populations. It might lead to more representation for citizens-only districts, potentially reducing the influence of immigrant communities in federal and state elections.
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What are the legal arguments for and against this case?
Supporters argue that counting only citizens aligns with the constitutional goal of representing the citizen population. Opponents contend that the 14th Amendment mandates counting all residents, regardless of legal status, and that excluding non-citizens violates constitutional principles and federal law.
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How might this case change future census counts?
If successful, this lawsuit could set a precedent for excluding non-citizens from census data used for apportionment. It might lead to legal challenges in other states and influence how the federal government collects and uses census data in the future.
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Why are political parties interested in this lawsuit?
Political parties, especially Republicans, see this case as a way to influence electoral boundaries and representation. By excluding non-citizens, they hope to gain a political advantage in districts with high immigrant populations, shaping future elections.
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What has been the response from federal agencies and courts?
Federal agencies like the Census Bureau have historically included all residents in their counts, citing the 14th Amendment. Courts have previously blocked efforts to exclude non-citizens, but this case could challenge those rulings and reshape census procedures depending on the outcome.