Why every smart immigrant woman should take the Census
Census results affect your community every day, from school lunches to support for families in need. With the help of New York Immigration Coalition, we answered all the questions you might have about the survey
Written by Irene Archos
2020 will be one that will go down in history, not only because of that dreaded C-word, but also for the Census. While the pandemic has definitely overshadowed the importance of it, it’s still a good idea to dig deeper into the topic. This year the Census has been postponed till September 30 – the last day to self-respond online, by phone or by mail.
To understand the impact of the Census into everyday lives, especially as it concerns immigrant populations, New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) caught up with Meeta Anand, the 2020 Census senior research fellow at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). This large umbrella organization represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups in the state of New York. “The Census is your voice in government”, Meeta says, as a way to encourage immigrant populations to take the Census.
Regardless of your immigrant status, take some time to take the Census – it should not take more than 10 minutes and it can be completed on-line in your language of choice. Information on the Census is confidential and protected by law.
Read an edited version of the conversation below.
What is the census? What is it used for?
The census counts! By counting the number of people in a district it largely determines the tax base allotted to it. Those who do not get counted literally do not count in terms of tax dollars. And not only funding but services are determined by the Census. The Census creates the major source of data that the federal government uses to portion out resources and target services to a community. Say for example, that based on the Census a certain community shows up as having a large percentage of senior citizens. That might determine the decision to open up a nursing home in the future. The Census is a planning tool that speaks to numbers. The more numbers and representative groups in an area, the more resources they get.
Its impact is huge: everything from hospital funding to public education to libraries to road construction to fire houses and post offices. Even the not so obvious impacts are important. Have you wondered why certain signs in a hospital are translated into specific languages? That is due to the Census. By calculating how many people speak a certain language in an area, those groups can petition the federal government for translation services to meet the demand.
The Census also determines how many legislators to both state and federal government are sent from an area. The Census is your voice in government. Population numbers translate into political power.
Why should immigrants care about answering the Census?
For the same reasons any other person would care: because this is the basis for determining the resources in our communities. This is what determines the amount of funding that goes into schools, hospitals, roads, the subway. If people do not fill in the Census, that means they will be undercounted. That translates into less money and fewer resources. That means we get less than our fair share of what we deserve.
Additionally, the Census determines our representations in federal government. It is a real means for interacting with democracy. And this is the big point for immigrants. Not everyone can vote as an immigrant. Not even everyone who is a citizen can vote, but everyone can take part in the Census. In this way taking it becomes a powerful vehicle for broadcasting your presence in a democracy.
Can my answers on the census lead to trouble with immigration authorities or ICE?
The NY Immigration Coalition along with other national and local organizations have faith in the privacy and confidentiality laws that surround the Census. Under Title 13 of the US Code that governs the Census, the Census bureau cannot share any individual information with either law enforcement or immigration enforcement. There are strict penalties that attach for these penalties including 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 for these breaches, or other entities.
Under the current climate, individuals might feel vulnerable or insecure submitting their information. However, the benefits far outweigh even the perceived risks. The Supreme Court has emphasized that privacy is at the core of the Census. Many legal groups have come to the conclusion that this is a robust protection system. Census does not share our individual data. A person, therefore, does not have to be afraid of filling out the Census with his or her information.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
No. You can skip some of them. If you skip a question online, you will be prompted to respond, but if you don’t you can still go on. Regardless of their status, or sanctioned housing situation, we encourage every person to be counted. For example, for the trans community there is only a binary gender option which makes some members of the community not engage with the Census. You could probably skip that question and still submit it.
I am an illegal alien. Should I still answer the census?
Absolutely. Your immigrant status does not matter. Every physical presence in the United States has to be counted. It doesn’t matter if you have a green card, a visa, or if you are illegal.
If I am living in a different location due to COVID or if I have members of my family who are not with me, how should I answer?
The answer is count those who would normally be living with you. The 2020Census.gov website clearly states: “You should be counted where you were living and sleeping most of the time as of April 1, 2020. If you are responding for your home, count everyone who was living and sleeping there most of the time as of April 1, 2020. This includes young children, foster children, roommates, and any family members or friends who are living with you, even temporarily.
Please note that if someone was staying with you temporarily on April 1 due to the COVID-19 situation, they should be counted where they usually live. This includes college students, who should still be counted at school, even if they are home early because of the COVID-19 situation. The important thing is to count all members of your household living with you. That includes your illegal grandmother living in an illegal basement. If you have members of your family who are inmates, they will be counted under a separate arm of the Census for prisons.
How long does it take to complete the Census?
It should not take more than 10 minutes. It can be completed on-line in your own language as well.
How can I take the Census?
There are several ways. There is a mailer paper option that gets sent to your physical address. There are actually four paper Census reminders that are sent out for your convenience. Just circle and fill in the questions and drop it into your nearest mailbox.
There is also a phone-in option. Customer Service Representatives are available every day from 7am to 2am Eastern Time on the following phone lines:
English (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-330-2020
Spanish (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-468-2020
English (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-418-2020
Spanish (for Puerto Rico residents): 844-426-2020
TDD (Telephone Display Device): 844-467-2020
Finally you can take it online at https://my2020census.gov/
Why is there information on the Census that tracks race and ethnicity?
Certain questions, such as race data, underlie civil rights enforcement. Civil rights legislation is based on census data. For instance, in Queens you can get ballots in Bengali. That was driven from Census data from 2010 where Bengali groups were able to point to their needs and, under the Voting Rights Act, have language accessibility. This is a real example of how you can use this opportunity to allow your group to have more representation and create a more inclusive society.
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the Census?
The various coalitions had planned on many person-to-person campaigns throughout the various immigrant communities. It would have made more of an impact to go door-to-door or initiate outreach in public libraries. Obviously, the pandemic has curbed those measures. Our service messages are getting tailored for online distribution. The deadline to complete the Census has also been extended till October 31.
Links for Further Information:
Census2020.gov
NYCounts.org
