>For Immediate Release
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>March 9, 2010
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>Contact.:
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>Arnoldo Garcia (510) 928-0685 agarcia@nnirr.org
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>Catherine Tactaquin (510) 459-4457 ctactaquin@nnirr.org
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>Over 200 organizations appeal to President Obama and the Department of
>Homeland Security to Suspend Immigration Enforcement Activities for Census
>2010
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>Encouraging hard-to-count populations to participate in the Census means
>reducing the climate of fear and distrust in immigrant communities
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>Oakland, CA: As Census 2010 gears up to count all residents in the United
>States, immigrants are at risk of being undercounted due to the climate of
>fear and distrust stemming from immigration raids and other enforcement
>actions. With Census forms due to arrive in all households in the coming
>week, more than 200 concerned organizations nationwide have joined with the
> >G4EgBObu4Dofujo> National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to ask
>President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano to halt enforcement
>activities for the Census. Not only are many immigrants not familiar with
>the Census, but many households will be reluctant to return their Census
>forms or talk with outreach workers for fear of detection if they or someone
>in their home is undocumented.
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>The letter asks the Administration to "follow precedent" to suspend
>enforcement activities, including the "287g" program that facilitates local
>police involvement in immigration enforcement. In 1990 and 2000, steps were
>taken to suspend numerous enforcement actions. However, with the peak
>activities for the Census just around the corner, the Administration has not
>yet announced any significant action.
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>While the purpose of the census is to count everyone residing in the United
>States, immigrants, along with a number of other population groups, have
>been historically undercounted. However, with the distribution of some $400
>billion in federal funds at stake to support infrastructure and services
>based on population, an inaccurate count of immigrants will have an impact
>on all areas of the country.
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>The letter cites more than a dozen immigration enforcement programs. "
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>As you know, enforcement activities have reached an unprecedented breadth
>and depth, resulting in higher numbers of detentions and deportations than
>even the past Administration, and utilizing strategies that are less visible
>than raids but well known and feared in immigrant communities throughout the
>country."
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>According to NNIRR Executive Director Catherine Tactaquin, "While many
>community-based organizations are working to support the Census effort, we
>are genuinely concerned that the climate of fear will seriously impact the
>census form return rate of immigrant households -- and if people do not
>return the form, they will be reluctant to open the door to a follow-up
>visit from a Census worker." She continued, "We believe it is the right of
>every person to be counted in the Census, but we really need the leadership
>of the Administration right now to make a difference in the success of the
>Census among our diverse immigrant populations."
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>Despite the benefits being counted brings to communities, immigrants are
>among several communities known to be significantly undercounted by the
>Census; in New York City, heavily-immigrant areas have had less than a 40
>percent census response rate, compared to the citywide average response of
>65 percent.
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>The letter also notes that, "Numerous officials have themselves expressed
>grave concerns about the challenges faced in convincing immigrants to
>participate due to persistent enforcement activity by the same government
>now seeking their information. Immigrants have raised doubts about the
>confidentiality of the Census. While officials have repeatedly stated that
>the information obtained will not be shared with other departments,
>immigrants well recall similar assurances about the Social Security
>Administration and Internal Revenue Service; today, the data obtained from
>these agencies has provided the fuel for many of this Administration's
>enforcement operations. "
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>For a copy of the full letter to President Obama and DHS, please go to:
> >BObu4Dofujo> www.nnirr.org/resources/docs/CensusLetterFinal3.9.103.pdf
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>For more detailed information and resources please go to NNIRR's We ALL
>Count - Census 2010 Campaign
> >S8hObu4Dofujo> www.nnirr.org