Bill amendment could impact census count

KENNER, La., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- An amendment onto an appropriations bill may result in scores of illegal immigrants in the United States not taking part in the 2010 Census, opponents say.

The Las Vegas Sun said Friday the proposed amendment from U.S. Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Robert Bennett, R-Utah, would add a question about "citizenship and immigration status" to the upcoming census.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has opposed the measure, along with groups such as the Hispanic National Bar Association and the NAACP.

Opponents of the amendment argue illegal immigrants and their families may not take part in the 2010 U.S. Census because of concerns about remaining in the United States.

Those potentially missing population numbers could impact states like Nevada, which the Pew Hispanic Center estimated in 2008 had 230,000 illegal immigrants living within its borders.

Nevada is facing the possibility of gaining an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives thanks to its recent population increase, the Sun said.