California Dem state senator claims there will be ‘no democracy left’ if illegal immigrants aren’t counted in Census

The comments came amid discussions on California's response to Texas's recent redistricting strategies, which were passed by the Texas House following a Wednesday vote.

"If your [illegal immigrant] cousin is kidnapped off the street...If the census that we're relying on for the Commission's next stab at redistricting doesn't include 1.5 million [illegal immigrants in California]...We have no democracy left," said Sen. Cabaldon during a hearing titled, "Members of California Senate Hold Hearing on Redistricting Efforts in Response to Texas."

Cabaldon, who framed the issue as a critical threat to democratic integrity, further noted that California is in a position to act preemptively, saying, "We can do something. We know what is coming because it's in Project 2025. We must take action if we're going to save not just democracy, but the Commission itself in independent redistricting."

The Democrat senator argued that redistricting efforts should not go to a vote by the people, but should be decided upon by legislators.

"The voters elected us to be the democracy, and we've heard that today that the most democratic thing would be not to ask the voters, but to ask the 14 people on the Commission to have some hearings and they decide what the map should be based on testimony," said Cabaldon.

The argument is a result of broader national discussions regarding the manner in which the US Census Bureau counts populations for the purpose of allocating congressional seats and electoral ballots. At present, the census includes all residents, including illegal immigrants. Critics contend that including noncitizens exaggerates representation in states with substantial illegal immigrant populations, such as California.

The state of Texas's recently approved redistricting maps have the potential to "eliminate" up to ten Democratic districts through redistricting, the Hill reported. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott led the charge and was quickly hit with accusations of gerrymandering by opponents, resulting in California Democrats pushing back by advocating for protective measures in their own redistricting process, such as keeping illegal migrants on the Census.

Sen. Cabaldon argued on the floor, "You can either change your policies, you can defend your policies, but one option that is not before us in a democracy is that you can change your voters, that you can change the rules. And so fighting back is absolutely essential."