BY PRIYA MURTHY

This year, South Asian community members have the opportunity to make their presence known and voices heard through the Census. Every ten years, the US Census Bureau, a federal government agency, conducts a count of every single person in the United States. All individuals living in the United States – whether you are a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a temporary visa holder, or even if you are undocumented – should participate. As Census 2010 approaches, each individual bears the responsibility of making sure the entire community is not only counted but accurately represented. 

Why is the Census important for the South Asian community?
It is critical for each and every person to participate in the Census as information gathered affects the South Asian community both regionally and nationally. On a local level, over $400 billion in funding will be allocated to communities depending on the needs arising out of information gathered through the Census. This data also informs infrastructure decisions regarding roads, schools, hospitals, and other public works. On a state level, Census data determines where electoral district lines are drawn and how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. On a national level, Census data paints a picture of the South Asian community by providing demographic information about where South Asians live, showing disparities in income and access to services, and highlighting emerging communities who have emigrated to the U.S. over the past ten years.

When is the Census happening and what does it ask?
In March, each household will receive a short form that asks ten simple questions including name, sex, age, date of birth, race, and household information. The South Asian community is historically undercounted and in 2010 there is an opportunity to change this by answering completing and sending back the form by April 1st. 

What does the Census form ask about race, religion, or immigration status?
Vital demographic information about South Asians is collected and extracted based on responses to the “race” question on the Census form. There are five general race categories on the form; “White”, “Black/African American/Negro”, “American Indian/Alaskan Native”, “Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander”, and “Asian”. Individuals also have the option to write in a response under the “Other Asian” or “Some Other Race” categories. The Census Bureau assigns unique codes to certain types of responses which affects whether detailed data on specific racial groups are reported out.
Questions regarding the “race” question often stem from confusion on how to accurately represent one’s race. Many communities of color, including the South Asian community, want to know how their responses will be counted by the Census Bureau. Typically, South Asians are grouped under the broader “Asian” category. How the Census Bureau treats responses within this category depends on how individuals choose to identify themselves. For example, those who wish to be counted as Indian can check off the “Asian Indian” box. Those who wish to be counted as Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, or Nepali, can check off the “Other Asian” box and write in a response in the space provided. While the Census Bureau does not report out specific data on “Indo-Caribbean,” “Indo-Trinidadian,” or “Indo-Guyanese” populations, individuals can still write-in these responses under the “Other Asian” category.
It is also important to note that the Census Bureau does not collect information based on religion. Responses including “Sikh” and “Hindu” will be coded as “Asian Indian”; if “Muslim” or “Buddhist” is entered, the Census Bureau may assign you a race based on demographic and other information. For the purposes of Census data, it is advisable to include information about your race rather than your religion. While the Census form does ask specific questions about race, it does not ask about immigration status. 

Will my responses on the Census form remain confidential?
An historic undercount of the South Asian community, along with other immigrant communities, can be partially attributed to concerns about privacy and confidentiality. Many South Asian community members have been fearful of participating in the Census because of mistrust of government resulting from post-9/11 and immigration enforcement policies targeting community members. It is important to know that federal law prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing personal information with any government entity, including the Department of Homeland Security or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In fact, the Department of Justice has issued letters and opinions explicitly stating that Census confidentiality overrules various federal policies, including the Patriot Act. The Census Bureau has also publicly assured that information gathered on the Census form will remain confidential. 

Is information about the Census available in South Asian languages?
The Census Bureau, along with community organizations, is working to make sure immigrant and limited English proficient have access to the resources they require to fill out and return the form. The Census 2010 website offers Language Assistance Guides in 60 languages (including Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu) which help navigate individuals through the Census form. The Census Bureau is also working with communities to set up Questionnaire Assistance Centers and Be Counted sites where individuals can receive assistance filling out the form. These sites will be staffed by representatives from regional Census offices and will be open from mid-March to mid-April. 
Given the historical undercount of the South Asian community, organizations around the country are working to increase education and outreach about the Census. South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) has launched a campaign to raise awareness and increase participation in the Census by distributing translated factsheets, conducting presentations about the importance of the Census, and mobilizing individuals around the country to be Census ambassadors. 
When you receive your Census form in the mail this month, remember that it is easy, important, and safe to participate. Information gathered through the Census affects your everyday lives and neighborhoods, determines your political power, and provides vital information about South Asians across the country. Fill out and return the form by April 1st to have a stake in decisions made about your neighborhood, your political representation, and your community. It’s in our hands.

Learn more about the Census and resources available for the community:
· South Asian Americans Leading Together - www.saalt.org
· Fill in Our Future campaign - www.fillinourfuture.org
· Census 2010 – www.2010.census.gov

Priya Murthy is the Policy Director at South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States. 
    
       
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