Stand Up and Be Counted!

Photo courtesy of
‘Immigration March I’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

The Washington Post just ran an article about a campaign to spread the word that everyone living in America should complete a Census form.  With the 2010 Census kicking off in a few short months, efforts are underway to educate minority populations (particularly Latinos who may be here illegally) that completing a Census form does not put one at risk of being deported.  Census workers take a vow of confidentiality and will not report people living here illegally to immigration officials.

Filling out a Census form is very important– it’s the one time every ten years that the government gets an accurate idea of the population of the country, and it can affect everything from congressional representation to state funding allocations.  So consider this a public service announcement: when you get your form next April, fill it out and send it back, regardless of your legal status.  The more DC residents that respond, the more funding the city will get for community services and facilities that we all use.

Shannon grew up in the greater DC area/Maryland suburbs, went to Virginia for college and grad school (go Hoos!), and settled in DC in 2006. She’s an urban planner who loves transit (why yes, that is her dressed as a Metro pylon for Halloween), cities, and all things DC. Email her at Shannon (at) WeLoveDC.com!

4 thoughts on “Stand Up and Be Counted!

  1. I am wife and mother of American citizens, my parents are American citizens. But I am stuck in some kind of immigration limbo and can’t adjust my status because my visa isn’t adjustable. I am facing 10 years separation from my family in the country that I hardly remember. I will boycott the census, and all my family will do the same.
    If some politicians will loose there warm seats, so be it. The less people in Congress the easier will be to pass a reform, because those who will get to Congress will know that they can loose their seats as well.
    Boycott the census!

  2. With unemployment at a 26 year high, the New York Times has revealed that immigration authorities at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have undertaken preparations for issuing visas to 11-18 millions (?) My guess over 20 million + illegal aliens who would be granted–BLANKET AMNESTY–if Congress is–able–to pass immigration reform legislation. Now is the time to remind your Senators and Representatives at 202-224-3121, that we demand they do NOT enroll on to this ill conceived abomination. Into our country at least a million law abiding newcomers come annually, clutching their entry visas; many waiting for years for a chance at the American dream. But the thrall of lobotomized Democrats are in for a hard lesson, including some Republican business enthusiasts, who think it’s–going to be a simple solution approving this financial calamity.

    This illegal alien mess has been methodically created by both parties for decades. But monumental amounts of the US population do not agree with this outcome. LaRaza, a radical anti-Sovereignty organization, will transform the US into a third world dumping ground yet?
    Incidentally regarding the 2010 Census? Small states will miss out big time on federal dollars, while mass illegal immigrant states will gain more seats in Congress and too much power and influence? Of course ICE could check the immigration status of those who are counted, even though it’s supposedly against US law? Or is counting non-legal residence against the US Constitution?

    All we need is mandatory E-Verify to remove from every honest business, workers who came here illegally; those who don’t will suffer severe penalties. This is a murky back-door way for hard-line Liberal Democrats to sneak past all verification measures, which would approve a path to citizenship for lawbreakers thus giving them access to–YOUR–health care? All Americans GOOGLE–NUMBERSUSA, to uncover the deceitful way they plan to cheat all legal workers and citizens? America is already on the road to irreversible OVERPOPULATION. Do all the people out their who are suffering from a compassion syndrome, believe–ALL–Americans want to pay even higher taxes to support corporate welfare, for the millions they have already hired? I don’t think so?

    This is one of the cloaked agendas of The Council of Foreign Relations to intensify the unfettered inflow of destitute peoples into North America. We already spend more money across the globe, than anyone else? Yet the United Nations is never satisfied. We already have a negative-dollar free trade treaty, which has seen the disappearance of our manufacturing industries. To me Globalism and internationalism are dirty words, and when Americans open their eyes it might be too late? Our country is being emasculated by the illegal immigration and the financial support poured out by unaware taxpayers. America is like the Greek god “Atlas” supporting the world and its issues? That is exactly what we are doing–SUPPORTING THE WORLD? For the record 15 Democrats are already discussing your fate, as they strife to undermine immigration enforcement amendment.

    1. To permanently reauthorize E-Verify? 2. To complete the 700 miles of border fencing? 3. To continue and not rescind the No-match-letter program, that HS Napolitano has closed down. 4. Grassley’s amendment to allow all businesses that use E-Verify to run all of their current employees through the E-Verify system. Go see who the traitors are to our protection of the border at NUMBERSUSA.

    Do you know what the state of our highways or underground utilities? Each state has 30 year underground causeways of irreparable water and sewage pipes that our government has ignored. Again I say watch “The Crumbling of America” on the History channel. Each year our bridges and dams are deteriorating, so they do hasty repairs, but many are seeing deployable erosion that cannot be fixed, because the state has not enough money? Yet the Democrats want to cause an avalanche of impoverished people, who will want to bring in even more family members. Who’s going to recompense for them? Then even more will break through the fence, enter as a tourist or slip into America via the Caribbean? The onslaught will never end and our reservoir of cash is finally exhausted.

    I have a hard time paying my taxes, without paying more for the impecunious, uneducated who slip into our sovereign country bring the criminals, the handicapped and elderly immigrants. Who pays for my family and kids, the house payment, health care and car? NOT THE BLOODY TRAITORS IN WASHINGTON ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO KEEP PILING ON HIDDEN TAXES TO SUBSIDIZE ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS AND FAMILIES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. I’LL EVEN GO FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SKILLED JOBS AND SOMETHING TO OFFER, BUT NOT FOR JUST ANYBODY WHO TAXPAYERS HAVE TO SUPPORT? Learn more about corruption at JUDICIAL WATCH. Learn about POPULATION GROWTH at CAPSWEB.

  3. here is some questions maybe put some lights some people’s head:How many illegals live in USA?
    How many came here legally?
    How many did get SSN by they Visa?
    How many on payroll and pay payroll tax?
    How many different taxes illegals do pay?
    How much money they contributing to the GDP?

    How much could cost a massive deportation and why?
    How would a massive deportation impact the US Economy ,Labor, Internal Revenue Departments?
    How is the housing, renting,crediting,(house,car etc.loans) would be effected?

    How many American citizen braking the laws?
    How much the cost of accidents, fatality cosed by speeding and driving under influence by American citizens?
    How many American citizen didn’t pay tax?
    How many tax revenue USA loosing per year by uncollected back taxes?(Taxmasters,etc. everybody deserve a second chance,BS!)

    How many unfilled job are available right now in USA?
    How much the cost for issue a Visa?( to background check,paperwork, mailing cost, officers pay etc.)

    What happened in Prince William County?
    What would happen if illegals will legalized?
    How much money the Government could collect?
    How much money will be free up(law enforcement,deportation,etc.)and able to use for other causes?
    How the legalization would effect labor market, revenues, taxes, housing, new businesses?
    How many Americans belongs to the Baby Boom Generation? When they going to retired?
    Who will replace this work force?

    This is just a few question. People should be informed about it. They maybe will look differently on the issues.
    Thank you.

  4. I feel like one of the biggest issues for DC is accurately counting all of the young professionals who live in group houses across the city. There are thousands of people who weren’t here 10 years ago (look at Columbia Heights for the best example) and it’s critical to have an accurate count