The 2010 Census
Local News
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By: Dunia Rivera
drivera@jambalayanews.com
Only three months before the 2010 Census officially begins, the population of the United States will have exceeded 308 million inhabitants next January 1, an increase of 0.9 percent according to the federal agency of the United States.
During the month of January someone will be born every eight seconds and someone will pass away every twelve seconds, according to estimates made by the Census Bureau, a branch office of the United States Department of Commerce. The bulletin also pointed out that an immigrant will be added to the United States population every 37 seconds this month.
Thus, taking into account the natural growth of the domestic population growth in addition to the international migration, there is a population increase of one person every fourteen seconds.
Of the 308 million inhabitants of the United States, more than 45 million are of Hispanic origin, which accounts for 14.6 percent of the nation’s population. The Hispanic community in the United States is the majority of the minority, surpassing the African-American community.
Census projections indicate that given the rapid demographic growth, in the next ten years Hispanics could come to represent 20 percent of the United States population.
Every ten years the government complies with the constitutional mandate to register all people in this country. In spite of campaigns in different media, not everyone is aware of its importance and benefits.
Damaris Lara is just one example, states that she has lived in this country for more than 20 years and this will be the first time that she will participate in a census.
“I’ve been a little uninformed and I have also never participated in the electoral process,” she admits. “Moreover, I have never seen us receive in the mail these forms or that someone visit us to participate in the census.”
The organizations that work to encourage Hispanics to participate do so with a clear message, that in participating in the census you’ll get more and better social services as those provided in emergencies and disaster, health, education, libraries, highways and transportation, community centers for the elderly, and more. It is also important for democracy and political representation as the results determine the number of legislators per district.
Julio Romero recognizes the benefits of the Census and plans to participate without fearing for his immigration status. “For me it is important to participate in the census because there is plenty of aid that families could receive from the government, especially in areas such as health and education.”
The challenge for Census representatives will be to gain the trust of those who are still indifferent or are afraid for their immigration status. The Census Bureau is a government entity independent of the FBI, IRS, CIA, Social Welfare, Immigration, and any other governmental agency.
For this reason, the information obtained from participants remains confidential. To this date, no cases of abuse have been reported.
There is still a long journey ahead. What is clear is that the Hispanic community – documented and undocumented – should have more belligerence, voice, and rights. But this can only happen if you let yourself be counted.
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