http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 89517.html

GALVESTON — Illegal immigrants have become crucially important to Galveston's future in the eyes of city officials because of Hurricane Ike.

The island lost as much as 20 percent of its estimated population of 57,000 after the storm, which could pose a serious problem because state and federal money is doled out on the basis of population.

The 2010 census is looming, and every head on the island, legal or illegal, will count.

Typically undercounted segments of the community — Hispanics, blacks, the elderly and the disabled — are being sought out as never before as the city scrambles to count every resident.

“These groups are historically undercounted, and we believe if they are counted it will help Galveston in the long run,â€