Posted on 05/27/2010 12:27:53 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Thousands of census workers, including many temporary employees, are fanning out across America to gather information on the citizenry. This is a process that takes place not only every decade in order to complete the constitutionally-mandated census; but also as part of the continuing “American Community Survey” conducted by the Census Bureau on a regular basis year in and year out.
What many Americans don’t realize, is that census workers — from the head of the Bureau and the Secretary of Commerce (its parent agency) down to the lowliest and newest Census employee — are empowered under federal law to actually demand access to any apartment or any other type of home or room that is rented out, in order to count persons in the abode and for “the collection of statistics.” If the landlord of such apartment or other leased premises refuses to grant the government worker access to your living quarters, whether you are present or not, the landlord can be fined $500.00.
That’s right — not only can citizens be fined if they fail to answer the increasingly intrusive questions asked of them by the federal government under the guise of simply counting the number of people in the country; but a landlord must give them access to your apartment whether you’re there or not, in order to gather whatever “statistics” the law permits.
In fact, some census workers apparently are going even further and demanding — and receiving — private cell phone numbers from landlords in order to call tenants and obtain information from them. Isn’t it great to live in a “free” country?
“That’s right — not only can citizens be fined if they fail to answer the increasingly intrusive questions asked of them by the federal government..”
Has this ever been tested in the Federal Courts?
Moderator, pull this thread. It’s mythical.
I’d ask for chapter and verse before taking this one at face value.
????????????
Ping
6:00 am May 26, 2010, by Bob Barr
Link is good.
#
NOTE The following text is a quote:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/census-taker.php
What is a Census Taker?
Open the door to a census taker and open doors for your community.
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By being counted you are standing up for what your community’s needs are. That’s why census takers are so important. A census taker is a person from your community who is hired by the Census Bureau to make sure that your neighborhood gets represented as accurately as possible. The census taker’s primary responsibility is to collect census information from residences. Most of these residences have not sent back their 2010 Census form.
The Census Bureau provides the census taker with a binder containing all of the addresses that didn’t send back a filled out census form.
The census taker then visits all of those addresses and records the answers to the questions on the form.
If no one answers at a particular residence, a census taker will visit a home up to three times and attempt to reach the household by phone three times. The census worker will leave a double-sided (English and Spanish) NOTICE of VISIT in the doorway that includes a phone number for the resident to schedule an appointment.
The census taker will ONLY ask the questions that appear on the census form.
Do I have to talk to the census taker?
Yes. Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law, (Section 221, of Title 13 of the U.S. Code). However, rather than rely on criminal charges, the Census Bureau is very successful in getting participation by explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits our communities.
Your privacy and confidentiality is our priority:
The census taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data under Federal Law Title 13. Those who violate the oath face criminal penalties: Under federal law, the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.
These “laws” have never been tested in court because they would be squashed there. They are for intimidation purposes only... thus far. Many people refuse to answer any questions or allow census takers on their property. None have been prosecuted, at least by 2000. I worked for the Census in 2000 and in 1988-1990. In training we were told all these things and when questioned about how many people were prosecuted the answer was well, none, but they could be.
Note: The following text is a quote:
Question & Answer Center
Census workers will be in the field from May 1 through July 10 conducting interviews with residents of addresses from which a form was not received. The census worker will leave a double-sided (English and Spanish) NOTICE of VISIT in the doorway that includes a phone number for the resident to schedule an appointment. How Do I Identify A Census Worker?
Read the 2010 Census Blog, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to get more tips, or visit our 2010 Census site.
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American Community Survey: Must I respond?
Question
Do I have to respond to the American Community Survey / Puerto Rico Community Survey?
Answer
Yes. Respondents are required to answer all questions on the American Community Survey (ACS) to the best of their ability. Response to this and other Census surveys is required by law (Section 221 of Title 13, Chapter 7, United States Code). This chapter also contains information regarding offenses and possible penalties. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of “not more than $100” to “not more than $5,000.” More information.
Your answers are very important because they represent the answers of many other similar households in your community. The data that you and others provide in response to this survey are required to manage or evaluate federal and state government programs. If you submit an incomplete form or provide data that are unclear, we may contact you by phone or in person to obtain or clarify the missing information.
The ACS is part of the Decennial Census Program. It is a survey that is sent to a small percentage of our population on a rotating basis. These data previously were collected only in census years in conjunction with the decennial census. Since the ACS is conducted every year, rather than once every ten years, it will provide more current data throughout the decade. The Census Bureau may use the information it collects only for statistical purposes. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information about you, and all other respondents, strictly confidential. Any Census Bureau employee who violates these provisions is subject to a fine up to $250,000, a prison sentence up to five years, or both.
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Users who viewed this answer have also viewed
• FAQs: American Community Survey: Important respondent questions
• 2010 Census: Must I answer the census?
• 2010 Census: American Community Survey (ACS)
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Never been tested. If it were it would fail and the laws would be useless. As it is they are good for their intimidation value which is what they are there for.
Why do you say mythical? Refute what Barr wrote.
I can’t find anything on the CENSUS site suggesting the “census workers can enter your apartment in your absence.”
Sounds like sections of the “Patriot” Act, per Judge Napolitano (Conservative COnstitutionalist)
Seems another bot busted itself. Is anyone keeping count? The statistics might be interesting...
Like McCain’s campaign finance law?
this is not true
I haven't either. I think what this means is that landlords must let Census workers on their property or in their building (if it had central hallways). Also, the fine/lawsuit would be much more expensive to the landlord if they let someone in someone's apartment unit w/out permission than any $500.00 census fine.
This is hard to believe.
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