U.S. Census 2010 Update

Homeschool Legal Defense Administration (HSLDA) ^ | February 26, 2010

[Sopater]

  HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION

 

	J. Michael Smith, Esq. President Michael P. Farris, Esq. Chairman

U.S. Census 2010 Update

February 26, 2010

Americans from coast to coast will start receiving the U.S. Census mailings for the next census in March of 2010. You may have questions about your rights in regards to the upcoming questionnaires. How can you protect the integrity and confidentiality of your homeschool while responding to the U.S. Census? In this report, we attempt to provide answers to frequently asked questions about the census.

What are the U.S. Census Questions?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 Census will be a little different from in the past. Everyone will receive a short form that will have to be filled out by April 1, 2010. It is very basic, with 10 questions for the head of the household (access an interactive electronic version here):

1) How many people are living/staying in the household.
2) If there were any people staying in the house not mentioned in response to question 1.
3) Whether or not the homeowners/leasers have mortgages or pay rent.
4) The household’s telephone number.
5) Information about each person living in the household.
6) Gender of the head of the household.
7) Date of birth of the head of the household.
8) Whether or not the head of the household has Hispanic origin.
9) The head of the household’s race.
10) Whether or not the head of the household sometimes lives elsewhere.

This is different from the last census, which sent out two types of forms, the short 7-question form, and a long 53-question form. The long form was converted into the American Community Surveys that are sent out to small numbers of people throughout the 10-year period between each Census. Read our issue paper for more information on the American Community Survey.

Do I Have to Fill out the Whole Form?

The most frequent question we receive from member families is, “Am I required by law to answer the census form?”

The U.S. Census is mandatory by federal law. There is clear federal warning in the code about refusing to give the required information to the Census Bureau. U.S. Code, Title 13 states that citizens must comply with the census or face a $100 fine. There is a $500 penalty for giving false information.

Are the Census Questions Constitutional?

Article I, Section 2(3) of the U.S. Constitution is the provision that authorizes a census. “The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such a manner as they shall by law direct.”

The last phrase, “in such a manner as they shall by law direct,” gives Congress broad authority to determine the scope and process for collecting the census. Congress used this authority to define the parameters of the census in Title 13 of the U.S. Code.

Will There be any Questions about Homeschooling?

Not in the 2010 census.

Will a Census Worker Come to My Door? Do I Have to Let Him Inside?

There is a pre-listing and listing operation underway to make sure that addresses are correct, especially in new neighborhoods. This means that there will be certain instances where you will see census workers in the field. However, census workers are not typically going to go door to door. There is simply not enough time or money to do this. The only reason a census worker will come to your door is if you have not returned your form or if you have a new address. They are not authorized to enter your home or collect information that is not required by law. HSLDA will protect our member families against any attempt to collect homeschool information.

If you would like to read the HSLDA position paper on the U.S. Census and our recommendations to homeschoolers, please visit the Census Issue Center on our web site. HSLDA recommends that you also contact the U.S. Census Customer Services Call Center at 1-800-923-8282 for more information.

 Other Resources

U.S. Census Bureau

American Community Survey

 

[Sopater]

Here's what HSLDA recommends regarding the 2010 Cencus.

[goodnesswins]

8) Whether or not the head of the household has Hispanic origin. HUH?

And, why would I give them my phone number?

[TheZMan]

My packet was hanging on the door. I filled out the # of residents, sealed it up and dropped it into the mail box.

[bicyclerepair]

You all here at FR had me believing that only the number of occupants was constitutionally required.

[Sopater]

I sure don't get that question. I can't imagine what that has to do with anything.

As for the phone number, the form says "We may call if we don’t understand an answer."

I plan to answer in plain English, so they shouldn't need my phone number.

[4Speed]

ping

[webschooner]

I’m not giving them my phone number. If they come back for it and threaten me with the fine, then I guess I’ll give it up.

I really don’t like answering the question about whether my home has a mortgage or is free and clear — none of their frigging business, but I suppose if I refuse to answer it, they will be up my a**.

[CaptainK]

Is every household receiving this census questionnaire?

[i_dont_chat]

Seems like 8 and 9 are redundant. I will not answer 8, and I will answer 9 Caucasian.

And I won’t be giving a good phone number.

And the need to give the date of birth of the head of household is questionable. Too easy to get into the wrong hands and enable someone to steal a person’s identity.

[Stosh]

“8) Whether or not the head of the household has Hispanic origin. HUH?”

So, Census people, how exactly does one define “Hispanic origin”? How many generations does one have to go back to find “Hispanic origins”? Is it like the ante-bellum definition of Negro, where “one drop” of black blood determined your ethnic identity?

Not real sure how I can answer a question I can’t understand, especially if there’s a $500 fine for giving a wrong answer.

[Sopater]

Is every household receiving this census questionnaire?

According to the website, US 2010 CENSUS "In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive yours, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don't mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form."

[onceone]

What’s a hundred bucks?

Pay the fine. I’m going to.

[ChrisInAR]

You all here at FR had me believing that only the number of occupants was constitutionally required.

That's correct. I'm not giving the feds any info other than that. If I have to pay a $100 fine, then so what?

[Sopater]

Not real sure how I can answer a question I can’t understand, especially if there’s a $500 fine for giving a wrong answer.

I CAN'T STAND THE PRESSURE!!!!

[Nahanni]

I will answer the number of occupants and nothing more. If they come after me my reply to them will be that they already have this information, there is no reason to repeat it. They have it in the form of my W2/tax returns, they know the value of my house via my property taxes, the floorplan for my house is on file with the county if the want to know how many bedrooms/poopers the house has, etc.

[Sopater]

Pay the fine...

That's going to go on your permanent record mister!

[clee1]

That’s what I’m doing too.

[rcrngroup]

1) How many people are living/staying in the household.
2) If there were any people staying in the house not mentioned in response to question 1.
3) Whether or not the homeowners/leasers have mortgages or pay rent.
4) The household’s telephone number.
5) Information about each person living in the household.
6) Gender of the head of the household.
7) Date of birth of the head of the household.
8) Whether or not the head of the household has Hispanic origin.
9) The head of the household’s race.
10) Whether or not the head of the household sometimes lives elsewhere.

Question 1, I will answer.
Questions 2 thru 8 will be answered as "N/A"
Question 9 will be answered as "American"
Question 10 will be answered as "N/A"

Finished - mail the census form in!

And WTH is with Question #8? WTH difference does it make if the Head of the Household has Hispanic origin? Is that to help allocate how much land to Aztlan (the Hispanic "nation")?

[panaxanax]

“...I will answer 9 Caucasian”

If you were born in this country then why not answer ‘Native American’?

That’s all Mrs. panax and I are telling them. Two residents, Native American now get the hell of my porch. I’ll force them to make the home visit.

I will opt for the jail time because I’m NOT paying a fine. If we all did the same it would shut down the system and they will be forced to abandon their invasive data search.

[coop71]

Google a 1910 census form and take off your tinfoil hat.