The records are made public after seventy-two years. But until then, federal law bars the Census Bureau from sharing individual records with any other agency -- such as immigration or anti-terrorism officials.
Leaders of minority groups including Hispanics and Muslims are urging their communities to complete the form so they are counted. But some people say they do not trust the government and will not answer all the questions.
People are required by law to answer all questions to the best of their ability. There is a five hundred dollar fine for giving false answers. There is a fine of up to five thousand dollars for not returning a census form, but the fine is rarely enforced.
Officials say about seventy percent of the population took part in the last census. This year they hope for higher rates. Still, they expect more than forty-seven million households not to return their forms. This will require a visit by a census worker.
This year's mailing includes, for the first time, bilingual forms in English and Spanish. The Census Bureau chose thirteen million households in areas with large numbers of Spanish speakers. In addition, forms will be available in fifty-nine languages including Chinese, Korean and Russian.
Within around thirty years the Census Bureau expects racial and ethnic minorities to form the majority of America's population. But more than half of all children will be minorities in less than half that time. Minority children, especially Hispanics, are increasing at a fast rate while the United States has fewer white children. Experts predict that the share of babies born to white, non-Hispanic women will fall below fifty percent within the next two years.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25