Illinois. with an alien population of 451.533. would not lose a single Representative. occasioned by the fact that with a population of 7.630.388 it now has a minor fraction of 78.164 above the necessary population for 27 Congressmen. and in the exclusion of its aliens from the count and the adoption of the new and reduced population unit of 267.207 it would have a major fraction of 231.473 over 26 units and would therefore continue to have 27 Congressmen. Yet how great and how beneficial would be the effect upon the rights of American citizens residing in Illinois if congressional district lines should be changed so as to Include within each district approximately the same number of American citizens. disregarding the almost half million aliens. living largely in congested areas. in determining where these lines should run. . It would necessarily increase the representation of the American citizens living in Illinois. and take away from largely alien constituencies where naturalized citizens hold the balance of power under present conditions the right to have Representatives in the United States Congress. It is a very serious mistake to consider this question solely from the standpoint of changes that might be effected in representation as between the States. Changes that would be effected in power of selection of their Representatives by American citizens within the States would perhaps transcend that feature In Importance.
Identified stereotypes
Naturalized citizens hold the balance of power in largely alien constituencies.