The 2020 Census presented significant challenges unique to these unprecedented times, including an administration intent on intimidating and excluding non-citizens and a raging pandemic that halted the in-person follow-up needed to ensure a complete count. Despite the challenges, PANA organized and facilitated the Refugee and Immigrant Census Hub (RICH) to ensure that African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian refugee communities in San Diego County were counted.

RICH included 15 ethnic and religious-based organizations that PANA trained and supported as they educated their networks and communities about the importance of census participation. We developed census outreach materials, including videos, in 15 languages. And it was a huge success! Together we contacted over 47,000 African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian community members. As a result, the Census 2020 self-response rates increased dramatically over 2010 self-response rates in 82% of the census tracts we targeted.

Download Frequently Asked Questions

Refugee And Immigrant Census Hub Informational Videos

What Is the Census? 

The U.S. Census is a count of every resident (not just citizens), at the location where each person usually lives. It is mandated by the United States Constitution and it happens every 10 years. 

Why Is the Census Important?

A complete and accurate Census count of our communities determines the allocation of tens of billions of dollars in federal funding for the next decade. For example, the count will determine the amount of federal dollars our communities receive with programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, among others.

The count also about fair representation. After each Census count, state officials use the results to redraw boundaries for congressional, state, and local legislative districts.

Who Gets Counted? 

EVERYONE gets counted regardless of immigration status – Make sure to include babies, elders, non-relatives living in the household, and people with disabilities.

In March, every household will get a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions to visit their website. 

• After logging onto the Bureau’s website, each household will fill out a simple 10-question form. The form can be completed in about 10 minutes. 

• Every person, including children, living in the household needs to be included on the form in order to be counted. 

• People can call the Census Bureau to complete the form by phone or to request a paper form be mailed to them.

Why Are Refugees At Risk of Not Being Counted? 

Until 2017, the United States led the world in refugee resettlement. California has historically resettled more refugees than any other state, welcoming nearly a quarter of all new arrivals since 1975:

• Distrust of government: In addition to cultural differences that result in a distrust of government, refugees are arriving after experiencing significant trauma in their countries of origin and often during their long journey to this country. Their instinct may be to distrust a government questionnaire seeking personal information about them and their families.

• Hidden homelessness: Refugees often have more children and extended family to house and support through reunification efforts. California’s affordable housing crisis makes finding affordable and appropriate housing a significant challenge identified by refugee families. They are often forced to live in overcrowded situations, and many times in violation of leases, which may deter them from accurately representing the number of people in their household.

• Fear: Many refugee populations are experiencing heightened government surveillance and harassment in the wake of the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric against refugee communities, including the repeated Muslim bans. These targeted threats pose a direct and significant barrier to Census participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I lose the postcard with my unique ID number?

Don’t worry – you can still complete your Census form online without the ID number.

Will the Census include a question about citizenship?

The 2020 Census questionnaire will NOT include a question about an individual’s citizenship status. If you have concerns about opening your doors, you can participate online and over the phone, from the comfort of your home or at a community run assistance center. Your participation is vital, and your information is protected.

Is my private information protected?

Your answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine personal eligibility for government benefits. In addition, personal information cannot be used against respondents for the purposes of immigration enforcement. The United States Census Bureau (USCB) is required by law to protect any personal information it collects and keep it confidential. Violating confidentiality or sharing the information other than for statistical purposes is a serious federal crime. Anyone who violates this law will face severe penalties, including a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Why do I have to participate in the Census?

Some federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties and communities are based on population. It is critical for everyone to be counted, regardless of immigration status. When you respond to the Census, you help your community get its fair share of federal funds.

What if I don’t want to participate in the Census?

Your response is required by law. If you do not respond, the U.S. Census Bureau will follow up in person to collect your response.

Does somebody else in addition to the federal government use the Census data?

Businesses use Census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, and this creates jobs. Developers use Census data to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods. Local governments use Census data for public safety and emergency preparedness.

Should I include my children as well?

Yes, you should include all children who live in your home. You should include children who split their time between homes, if they are living with you on April 1, 2020. Please include also newborn babies, even those who are born on April 1, 2020, or who are still in the hospital on this date.

I’m pregnant. How should I fill out the Census?

Every child born on or before April 1, 2020 should be counted.

How should I answer the Ethnicity Question if I don’t relate to any of the answers?

If you are Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin you can select a more detailed category Mexican/Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban or Other Latino and provide a written answer (for example Dominican, Salvadoran, etc.). While you can select more than one Latino national origin group, the Bureau will only report one Latino origin group when publishing the data and they will choose arbitrarily.With the race question, you can select one or more race categories with which you identify. If none are applicable, you can select “some other race.”