Census 2020: Counting People Who Speak Little English
Eric Galatas, Public News Service – CO
DENVER — Getting an accurate count in the upcoming 2020 Census
could be a big factor in determining whether federally funded agencies
can provide the same services other Americans rely on to people with a
limited ability to read, write or speak English.
Stella Yu, founder of the youth program Arts Street, says it’s important
for all of Colorado’s communities to show up in the once-a-decade
count, and she notes the census form can be filled out in 13 different
languages.
“Historically, communities who speak only a little bit of English have
not been accurately counted,” she points out. “Instructions are
available in 59 different languages including American Sign Language and
Braille.”
In 2015, more than 300,000 Colorado residents said they were less than
fully fluent in English, and spoke a different language at home.
Federal agencies and private subcontractors are required to make
services available to all U.S. residents, regardless of language
proficiency.
An accurate Census count can help ensure that the right translators and
support materials are available — in hospitals, schools, and among fire
departments and first responders — when they’re needed.
Some community advocates worry that people who speak limited amounts of
English may shy away from census participation out of fear still
lingering in the wake of the Trump administration’s quest to add a
citizenship question.
Last summer the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the question, but many people
are skeptical about giving the government personal information.
Yu says all data in the Census form is protected, and records are confidential for 72 years under federal law.
“Census workers take an oath for life to protect your information,” she
stresses. “By law, Census data cannot be shared with immigration or any
government agency.”
Census data helps determine how states are represented in Congress, and
how billions of tax dollars are distributed for programs supporting
agriculture, infrastructure, schools, public safety and health
initiatives.
Guides in 59 languages along with videos designed to help people complete the Census form, are available online at census.gov.
