Strength in numbers

National Census Day is April 1, 2010. But unlike "April Fool's," it is not a day for

practical jokes and pranks. It marks the beginning of an important legal process dating back to 1790, when a group of riders went door-todoor on horseback, counting 3.9 million people in the young nation known as the United States of America.

Today there are more than 300 million people living in the country - citizens, legal residents and undocumented migrants, and the census is the largest peacetime mobilization of people and resources.

The numbers translate not only into federal grant money but also into political power. The U.S. Constitution counts the population every 10 years so that the seats in Congress and collected taxes are apportioned fairly.

And unlike other government agencies, the census is completely confidential -- by law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration, or any government or law enforcement agency.

The largest federal grant programs rely heavily on census data to give out their money, including Medicaid, childcare, education and huge block grants for general social services and neighborhood development. Although each program's formula is complex, we can estimate roughly how it breaks down.

Unlike other government agencies, the census is completely confidential By conservative estimates, every person counted results in $1,000 in federal funds. But a 2000 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers estimated that communities lost about $3,000 per uncounted resident!

With nearly 40 million immigrants - the vast majority Latinos - the "numbers" matter more than ever, politically speaking. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, emphasizes, "Make no mistake about it: The census cannot succeed if Latinos are not fully counted. We are the future of the United States."

For Census 2010, federal and state governments, along with immigrants' rights and Latino activist organizations, are spending a lot of time and money to reach those in the Census shadows - the "hard-to-count" populations.

Unfortunately, those most likely to being undercounted are those that need the most help - minorities (especially undocumented immigrants), children and the poor.

Historically, one of the hardest populations to count has been Brazi- lian immigrants. As of 2007, the Census Bureau estimates about 30 percent of all Brazilians in the United States live in New England. Yet they are not receiving the same benefits as other residents in the area, because the undercount is so low.

The Boston Region Census office, which covers New England and Puerto Rico, is urging elected officials, educators, ethnic media and faith-based organizations - in other words, those who Brazilians and other immigrants look to for guidance and trusted information - to spread the word about the importance of taking a stand and being counted.

However, they are facing a wave of resistance from some Latino leaders. The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders (CONLAMIC), which claims it represents 20,000 evangelical churches in 34 states, is urging undocumented immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. Census, alleging that the "statistical invisibility" of millions of residents will prompt legislators to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"If the 12 million [undocumented] of our brothers and sisters are good enough to be counted, then they are good enough to be legalized," said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of CONLAMIC.

Many Latino activists describe Rivera's group as "irresponsible." NALEO director Vargas said. "We thought that we had our hands full by encouraging

everyone to be counted, but now we have to clean up everyone else's mess. The anti-immigrant groups are taking delight in this right now."

And like many others, Jose Calderon, professor at Pitzer College and local civic leader, worries that communities could lose millions in valuable government grants and funding. "It makes no sense to boycott the census," Calderon said. "Our kids' future will be at stake if we do."

The bottom line - CENSUS 2010 is confidential!The Census Bureau is "bound by an iron-clad law and solemn commitment to protect the confidential information collected."

ll workers - including temporary employees — take an oath for life to keep information confidential, punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison.

Even the President of the United States is no exception. In 1953, the White House had to undergo renovation and President Truman was temporarily relocated. The Secret Service requested Census information on residents living in the proposed relocation area, to perform background checks. The request was denied.

The easiest and safest way to make sure your presence in the country counts is to return the Census form you receive promptly - there are only 10 short questions this year. And no one will come knocking on your door if you mail back the form.

On April 1, 2010, don't let the "joke" be on you and your community - stand up and be counted as a resident of the nation in which you live, work and raise your family.