Author: Thank Illegal Aliens for Florida's New Congressional Seats

The author of a new book -- "Vote Thieves: Illegal Immigration, Redistricting, and Presidential Elections" -- suggests that Florida's two new congressional seats are due, at least in part, to illegal immigrants.

Wait. What?

"There is a paradox to redistricting that is not discussed," says Orlando Rodriguez. "Immigrant destination states, such as Florida, may gain additional congressional representation because of their population of undocumented residents."

Indeed, the U.S. Census makes no effort to distinguish between legal and illegal residents -- and congressional seats are predicated on Census numbers.

Since no one knows how many of Florida's 27 congressional representatives (per the 2010 Census) were awarded because of the state's population of undocumented residents, Rodriguez recommends that apportionment be based on the total population to voters -- not "residents."

"Might this provide an impetus for true immigration reform if states such as Florida, Texas and California were to lose congressional representation because illegal immigrants are excluded from apportionment?" Rodriguez asks.

Good question.

So is another reader query from a reader who asked" "Why don't we use E-Verify to check the voter-registration rolls?"

You can find more information on Rodriguez's book here.

Sign up for Sunshine State News alerts.