Former US President Donald Trump has demanded an immediate new census, accusing Democrats of rigging past surveys by including illegal immigrants in the count. His long-time adviser Stephen Miller has echoed these claims, alleging that the inclusion of undocumented migrants skewed electoral representation.
Trump's Explosive Allegations
In a fiery statement, Trump declared that illegal immigrants should not be counted in future censuses, calling previous surveys 'deeply flawed'. 'The Democrats have been cheating for years by padding the numbers,' he claimed, without providing concrete evidence.
Miller's Controversial Claims
Stephen Miller, Trump's former senior policy adviser and architect of hardline immigration policies, went further. He suggested that census manipulation had become a 'standard Democratic tactic' to gain political advantage through redistricting and resource allocation.
The Political Fallout
The allegations have reignited debates about:
- The constitutional basis for census counts
- How population data affects electoral college votes
- The distribution of federal funding
- Long-term political representation
Legal experts point out that the US Constitution mandates counting all persons, not just citizens, for apportionment purposes. However, Trump and Miller argue this interpretation unfairly benefits Democratic-leaning areas.
What Happens Next?
With the next census not due until 2030, Trump's demand faces significant legal and logistical hurdles. Nevertheless, the controversy is likely to feature prominently in the upcoming election cycle as immigration remains a hot-button issue.
