When the 2010 census is conducted, it is essential that illegal immigrants know they have nothing to fear from the government counters.
An estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants are in Arizona, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a research group in Washington, D.C. That would represent about 9 percent of Arizona’s population – the highest percentage of illegal immigrants of any state.
The census is supposed to count all residents of the nation – not just those who are here legally. It is not a count of citizens but a count of people living here and using services here.
The census numbers are used to allocate everything from House membership to federal dollars.
Without an accurate census count, Arizona could lose millions of dollars in federal funding for roads, schools, redevelopment and other projects.
It is important that residents of Arizona know that the Census Bureau does not care about immigration status and does not share the information it collects with law enforcement agencies.
A complete count is needed, and that word must get out.