Missouri Sues To End Counting Of Illegal Aliens In Census, Wants Recount
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state, along with several individual plaintiffs, has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau seeking to end the counting of illegal aliens in the census and force a recount of the 2020 Census and 2021 congressional apportionment.
In a press release, Hanaway described the lawsuit as a major constitutional challenge to how federal representation is calculated.
“To defend our fundamental right to representation in government, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed the most significant election lawsuit in a generation,” the release
stated. “This first-in-the-nation suit was filed against the United States Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau for unconstitutionally allowing illegal aliens to commandeer the path to the White House and compromise our elections.”
“The State of Missouri and its voters can no longer ignore the ongoing denial of their right to self-government and fair representation,” Hanaway said. “United States citizens and lawful permanent residents have a right to representation, unlike illegal aliens and temporary visa holders. In America, the People, the members of the social compact, are the only legitimate source of the government’s power. We are taking a stand against those who are cheating our system.”
The lawsuit argues that the current policy of counting illegal aliens in census tabulations is unlawful and unconstitutional. Hanaway is asking the court to order a recount of the 2020 Census and prohibit the inclusion of illegal aliens in future census apportionments.
The 96-page complaint names the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Census Bureau, and Acting Census Bureau Director George Cook as defendants.
According to the complaint, federal representation is being shifted away from states that enforce immigration laws and toward sanctuary states.
“Attorney General Hanaway will not allow open border states like California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland to steal an estimated 11 congressional seats, 11 electoral votes, and billions of dollars in funding,” the release said.
The lawsuit argues that the policy of counting illegal aliens in the census dates back to a unilateral decision by the Carter administration prior to the 1980 Census.
Hanaway’s office said the framers of the Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment never intended for illegal aliens or temporary visa holders to be counted for congressional representation.
“They could never have imagined an absurd system where millions of illegal alien trespassers would receive representation in Congress and the Electoral College,” the release stated.
The filing also points to actions taken during the Trump administration.
In July 2020, Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Commerce to exclude illegal aliens from the apportionment base, even though they were still counted in the raw census data.
California and New York immediately challenged the order in court.
While the Supreme Court ultimately vacated the injunctions blocking Trump’s policy, the resulting delays allowed the Biden administration to reverse course and include illegal aliens in the 2021 apportionment.
The lawsuit argues that if Trump’s policy had been implemented, Missouri would have gained an additional congressional seat and an extra vote in the Electoral College.
“Instead, the Biden administration hijacked the representation of Missourians by reversing the Trump administration’s action,” the filing states.
Because the lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of congressional apportionment, it is expected to be heard by a three-judge panel under federal law.
The complaint asks the court to declare that including illegal aliens and temporary visa holders in the 2020 Census and 2021 apportionment violated the Fourteenth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.
It also seeks an order requiring the Census Bureau to redo the 2020 Census and 2021 apportionment, remove illegal aliens and temporary visa holders from future apportionment bases, and prohibit their inclusion in the 2030 Census and 2031 apportionment.
My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
