US 2010 Census...The Fear of The Unknown

The US 2010 Census is upon us and it comes with a lot of fears for many undocumented immigrants, as well as some US citizens. Here are a few facts about the census -

The census is required by the constitution every 10 years.
The government does not use the census as a witch hunting tool for undocumented individuals in the nation.
Also the US Census Bureau does not share the information with immigration officials.

So, the census is a good process used in matching numbers and needs, no one should be intimidated by the census takers knocking on their door. Undocumented immigrants are afraid to be counted as they feel that the census takers will report them to the authorities, so this makes it hard to have correct information on how many people live in a household. Questions asked, such as, how many people lived here... are to determine how many people were not counted in prior years.

Individuals are also encouraged to fill out their census forms and mail them back if they are concerned about census takers knocking on their doors.

In order for the government to provide the most needed resources to the community, undocumented immigrants as well as US citizens need to open their homes and not let fear intimidate them. Communities should rally around and help their people to understand that census takers are not immigration officials.

Not only does this fear affect undocumented immigrants, the citizens are also afraid that the man knocking on their doors might just be posing as a census taker. So security is also threatened as we cannot not take people for granted. Citizens will have to use their discretion when answering their door bells, they need to be well informed about what to ask for as form of identity from the census takers.

Political parties too are afraid that their opponents may use some unwelcome tactics in order to increase numbers in their constituents, since the count helps to determine the number of seats each State has in the US House of Representatives.

See also other reasons given for holding back -

Where does all this leave the census takers? Imagine all the stories you have heard about the pizza delivery people who sometimes end up in the hands of muggers. They too are afraid, but have to be well informed and follow their gut feeling when approaching certain neighborhoods.

Here is a statement from a Phoenix city councilman who chairs the city's census committee..."A census boycott is a bad idea because it would reduce federal assistance for education and other programs that benefit immigrants and their children". Michael Nowakowski

As a nation of good citizens it is up to us participate in the census exercise, it is also our duty to educate those who misunderstand the goals of undertaking the project. This will help alleviate all fears connected to the up coming US 2010 Census.

I know that undocumented immigrants want the best for their families, especially their children, after all this is why most of them risk all they have to come to this country. So they need to be encouraged to come out and support this process which will help make their dream come true.

"We want change, we need change, we want better for our kids," said Londono, who emigrated from Colombia 24 years ago. "We are the voice of our community. What are we waiting for? Let's get our children counted."