2020 Census: How to ensure everyone is counted

ASAAL Census 2020

Members of the ASAAL were informed about the 2020 Census.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With the U.S. 2020 Census coming out shortly, members of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL) were informed on how to accurately make everyone count in their communities at a gathering on Saturday evening.

The event touched upon the challenges that New York City faces when it comes to the Census.

New York City Census Director Julie Menin spoke out about the biggest concern residents have: Will not being a documented citizen hurt them in the long run?

“Many people fear because of the citizen question, which is misinformation," Menin said. “The Trump Administration put fear into those who are not citizens, that there would be a question. But I can assure that there is no ‘Are you a U.S. citizen’ question on the form."

In 2010, the self-response rates were only 64%, while the U.S. average was 76%.

Menin spoke about how many residents do not answer the Census cards, and people are being overlooked, including children or those living in senior centers.

Mohammed Karim Chowdhury, the secretary of the ASAAL National, spoke out how the last Census numbers affected residents of New York, by taking away Congressional seats and lost of some funding.

“We cannot blame Census or anyone but ourselves. We did not do our part. It was an incomplete count. We lost a huge opportunity here,” said Chowdhury. “This is why we are doing everything we can do to avoid the situation to assist our community to have a complete count. We want every household to be counted.”

OTHER CONCERNS

More concerns from past 2010 Census showed that householders have fear of losing homes or housing subsidies, fear of losing entitlement benefit, increased rents based on additional working adults in the household, community displacement from support systems, and security concerns.

Menin assured everyone in the room that “the Census is completely confidential. It is safe to fill out, don’t be afraid to fill it out in fear. No one will release the information.”

Some of the biggest factors of the 2020 Census will help determine how more than $650 billion in Federal funds are distributed. This includes public education, public housing, public transit, roads and bridges, senior centers, Medicaid, Head Start, and seats in Congress.

THE CITY CENSUS

The NYC Census 2020, itself, has built four-pillars on how to ensure everyone is counted. They have set up grant funding to libraries, media advertisements, and working closely with community organizations, such as ASAAL.

A representative for Rep. Max Rose expressed a critical issue that the Staten Island community needs to know about.

“Staten Island is not always given its fair share, out of the other boroughs. That is why, for the 2020 Census, we need to make sure our community gets all the funding and resources that we need," said Kevin Elkins. The gathering was held in the congressman’s West Brighton headquarters.

April 1 is Census Day; everyone across the United States will receive a U.S. Census postcard that will arrive March 12 in the mail.

Residents will have the option to be able to fill out an online form, do it over the phone, or via postal mail. Between May and July, the U.S. Census Bureau will go around to neighborhoods, knocking on doors. The final count will be delivered in December.

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