Chaffetz wants census to ID illegals

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, on Tuesday joined conservatives calling for the Census Bureau to stop the presses on its 2010 Census questionnaires so it can add a question asking if respondents are legal U.S. citizens.

He co-sponsored a bill introduced Tuesday by Rep. Virginia Fox, R-N.C., seeking that. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, earlier introduced a similar bill in the Senate.

The bureau started printing in July the 120 million questionnaires, with 10 questions each, that will be sent to residents early next year.

Despite that, Chaffetz said Tuesday, "It's more important to get it right than to get the forms printed ahead of time. We still have 51/2 months. We can figure out how to print the forms," or perhaps better said, reprint them.

He added, "Tens of trillions of dollars will be spent based on this census. We better get it right."

Bennett was earlier criticized after he introduced his bill as possibly doing it just to appease the right wing, as he is facing a challenge from three conservative Republicans so far for his seat next year.

But Chaffetz said, "It was a good idea. I wish we had thought of it earlier. But there's still time to get it right."

Both Bennett and Chaffetz said they worry some areas may get extra representation in Congress — and extra federal funding — because illegal immigrants are included in census counts.

"I want to count all people. I just want a designation as to whether you are a citizen for the purposes of apportionment and redistricting," Chaffetz said.

He added, "We ask people if they are male or female. We ask how old they are. We should ask if they are citizens or not."

e-mail: lee@desnews.com