WASHINGTON — Rep. Virginia Foxx, who serves Surry County in Congress, wants the number of illegal immigrants to be determined through the 2010 census.

Census procedures now provide for only a count of people who are present in the country without distinguishing whether residents are illegals or United States citizens, or those otherwise here legally.

However, a bill introduced this week by Foxx, a Republican from Watauga County who represents North Carolina’s Fifth District in Congress, would change that. The Fairness in Representation Act (H.R. 3797) legislation would require the Census Bureau to determine the number of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. in its decennial census.

Foxx says the bill is aimed at altering existing census regulations to correct a situation that can undermine the integrity of representative government. This would prevent unfair distortions in the distribution of House of Representative seats among the 50 states caused by large populations of illegal immigrants in certain areas.

By counting illegal immigrants, the Census Bureau could provide accurate data for the reapportionment and redistricting process that determines how areas are represented in Congress. Without this data, some states will receive fewer congressional representatives than they should due to other states’ high illegal immigrant populations, according to Foxx.

“Accurately counting the number of illegal immigrants in our country is a matter of equity and justice for American citizens and those legally present in the U.S.,” she said in a statement released by her office.

“This bill is a common-sense proposal to require the Census Bureau to ask about citizenship status on the same census form that already asks recipients’ race, age and sex.”

The Fifth District representative added that the every-10-year tally of the U.S. population plays an extremely important role in government.

“The census is a linchpin in the proper functioning of America’s democratic and legislative process,” Foxx said. “Ensuring that the final tally is accurate and fair will mean everyone’s vote counts equally after congressional districts are redrawn in the coming years.”