Census asks illegal immigrants to respond

The goal is to count all people, not just some

By Jason Schoonover | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Thursday, November 12, 2009

The U.S. Census Bureau is calling for all Freeborn County and Minnesota residents to participate in the 2010 census, even undocumented immigrants.

Representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau have been speaking to local officials around the region about the importance of the 2010 census and counting all the people who live in the area.

“The core message is it’s safe, simple and it’s important,” said Ami Nafzger, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Part of the survey being safe, means it will be private. The U.S. Census Bureau is targeting groups that have traditionally been difficult to count. This includes illegal immigrants, who often don’t fill out census materials for fear of potential ramifications, Nafzger said.

However, she stressed that illegal immigrants will not be at risk by participating in the survey, and the census documents will be kept secret for up to 72 years.

When asked by the commissioners why the bureau wants to count undocumented immigrants, Nafzger stressed the importance of knowing exactly how many people use public facilities and services.

“They will be counted because they are using the services and the roads and the hospitals here in our country, so that’s why they will be counting every single person,” Nafzger said.

“They will be counting for every single person living in the United States,” she added.

Another group the bureau is targeting is snowbirds. Nafzger said the bureau is asking them to fill out the census so they can be counted as living in Minnesota and not where they move during the winter. If a snowbird living in Florida or Arizona wishes to be counted as a Minnesota resident, he or she can do so by filling out a survey at a questionnaire assistance center.

Hmong people have also been traditionally difficult to count. Nafzger said Hmong people often have many members of a family living in one home and don’t fill out census materials for fear of being reported.

This census has added importance in Minnesota because of the potential for the state to lose representation in the form of one of its eight congressional seats.

The census also affects the funding that the state of Minnesota receives based on population. Nafzger said one person not filling out the census costs about $1,000 in funding, meaning if 100 people didn’t fill out the census for 10 years, it would cost the state $1 million in funds.

In the 2000 census, Minnesota finished second with a response rate of 75 percent, and Iowa finished first with 76 percent, Nafzger said. She said the hope is for Minnesota to beat Iowa this year.

The bureau may also work with the schools and some local businesses to spread the word about the census.

Residents will receive the census material around March 15, and the materials will be due in mid-April. The questionnaire will be mailed only to residences and not to post office boxes. The mail will not be addressed to specific homeowners, as it will be addressed to the residence. Nafzger said people need to be aware of this because some people assume mail like this is junk mail.

The census used to consist of a short form and a long form — about a 30-page form. However, Nafzger said the census will be a much simpler 10-question survey.

One theme for the census is 10-10-10: 10 minutes and 10 questions in 2010.

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