There is a debate under way in some segments of the Latino community about whether to participate or boycott the 2010 Census. There are those who believe that undocumented immigrants - numbering somewhere in the vicinity of 10 to 15 million nationwide — should refuse to participate in the count because of the failure by the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

Some of those proposing the boycott are Christian leaders, men and women of conscience and faith, who believe that it is wrong to participate in a process that could lead the federal government to target the immigrants for deportation. They argue that Census data might be used to conduct massive deportation raids.We at the Latino LeadershipAlliance of New Jersey (Monmouth Chapter) strongly disagree with this reasoning and urge everyone - those with and without documents — to participate in the 2010 Census. While we applaud and support the goal of comprehensive immigration reform, we disagree on the method to bring it about. We believe that a boycott will play right into the hands of those who oppose any kind of immigration reform and weaken our position.

The stakes are too high to sit out the Census. The Latino population is growing in every part of our nation, numbering about 51 million at the present time. Census information is the way the federal government appropriates funds and political representation to communities.

It is imperative that we have an accurate count of our population so we can receive a fair share of funding for the communities where we reside. Every community in the nation is fighting for the few dollars the federal government returns to the people. We cannot afford to sit idly by and watch these funds go elsewhere.

The Census will also determine Congressional representation and a boycott could lead to under-representation in areas with high Latino populations.

Just as important, a boycott of the Census by undocumented immigrants would send the wrong message to the wider community. It would further isolate a community that has often been unfairly blamed for the many ills of society. It would cry out - "We do not wish to be part of the fabric of life in the United States." Nothing could be further from the truth.

The vast majority of immigrants have come to build this great nation. They are proud of the United States and want it to reach even greater heights. They want to participate and be recognized for their contributions.

There is little evidence to support the notion that Census information would be used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to track down undocumented immigrants, in fact, federal law prohibits the use of Census data for that purpose.

Some supporters of the boycott argue that it was used against Japanese Americans in World War II, but that was over 60 years ago and there have been substantial changes across the nation to protect civil rights.

The Monmouth Chapter of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey urges every person regardless of race, color, ethnicity or immigration status to participate in Census 2010. Stand up and be counted, there is strength in numbers for all of us.
Albert DeGracia
Deputy Director
Eastern Monmouth
Latino Leadership Alliance
Monmouth County Chapter