Let the counting begin. In a few short months, the U.S. government will begin its accounting of the American people and illegal immigration activists want to make sure the count includes those here illegally.

In an effort to curtail funding and add additional state legislators, Senator David Vitter-R LA has proposed an amendment to the Commerce, Science and Justice Appropriations bill asking census takers a question about U.S. citizenship.

Pro-illegal immigration activist groups are concerned that the question could chill the participation by those in the country illegally.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) made the following statement regarding the 2010 Census count. “The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution clearly states that members of the House of Representatives are apportioned according to a complete count of each state’s residents.”

They contend that members of Congress represent all residents in their districts, not just those who can vote.

“For example, we count children in the Census for apportionment purposes in order for states to receive adequate funding and resources to meet the needs of children and families,” MALDEF said.

The funding and legislators is exactly what many Americans are concerned with, especially since the country is in the middle of a difficult recession.

“If the current census plan goes ahead, the inclusion of non-citizens toward apportionment will artificially increase the population count in certain states, and that will likely result in the loss of congressional seats for nine other states, including Louisiana,” said Vitter.