Thread: California Immigration Advocates Clash on Benefits of Census

California Immigration Advocates Clash on Benefits of Census
April 24, 2009
Rob Kuznia--HispanicBusiness.com
U.S. Census, immigration advocates, census boycott, hispanic leaders
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In the latest example of the controversy and confusion that tends to swirl around the U.S. Census, some immigration advocates in Orange County are calling on illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 survey, but other advocates of the same cause are saying that's a huge mistake.

The intent of the National Coalition of Latino and Clergy and Christian Leaders is to pressure Congress to pass immigration reform and protect illegal immigrants from deportation, according to the Orange County Register.

The group, whose leaders say illegal immigrants constitute 30 percent of their congregations, believes the information used in the survey could be used against the immigrants.

But a group of Hispanic lawmakers and activists say that while the group's intentions are good, the boycott would only serve to hurt the population in question.

"I'm absolutely elated that there are pastors more radical than me but I think the target is misplaced," Nativo Lopez, executive director of Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, an immigrant rights organization, told the OC Register.

The Census, Lopez said, is used to calculate federal funding and Congressional representation, and a boycott would lead to an undercount, which will translate into underfunding and underrepresentation for the area.

For their part, Census officials say the information they collect is strictly confidential.

"We don't share that with the public or any other government agency," Luz Castillo, a partnership coordinator at the U.S. Census Bureau, told HispanicBusiness.com. "Not even with the president."

The protest has one immigration advocate lamenting that the clergy's efforts ironically play into the hands of anti-immigrant activists.

"The anti-immigrant groups are taking delight in this right now," National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Executive Director Arturo Vargas told the OC Register.


http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/politic ... nefits.htm

If all the illegal are going to be counted should Americans try not to be counted so the illegal representation will not happen? LOL Why is our government given illegals anything?

I love it when these nut cases disagree!
I can hear the arguments right now: be counted and you will be able to get all kinds of help from the government once amnesty is granted, vs. don't be counted or otherwise you could be deported before you get amnesty.
I like Obama's hints that he is a bit busy right now with a couple wars, the economy, healthcare, etc. to even think about amnesty.

"We the People" should have gotten wiser to the Census way before now.

I believe California has 55 U S Congress People.

I wouldn't trust this government with that information if I were illegal....come on name, address, etc. I say stay in the shadows and don't give them any information