In the City of Irving case, the Department of Justice has asked for permission to make oral arguments that illegal aliens and noncitizens should be counted for state and local redistricting purposes.  As reported earlier at ELC here, this position has the effect of diluting the legislative power of American citizens and shifting power to noncitizens and illegal aliens.  In areas with high citizenship, 100,000 citizens (for example) would have one legislator.  In contrast, areas with high illegal alien populations (say 20,000 illegal aliens, 10,000 green card holders and 70,000 citizens) would also get a single legislator.  DOJ’s position gives one legislator to 100,000 citizens, yet one legislator to 70,000 citizens who are likely heavily Hispanic. 

The request to offer oral arguments means that DOJ is devoting significant resources to push this point.  It is obviously a priority.