Let this letter be the third request that you respect my privacy and my requests. A previous post said this is the American Communist survey. Thank you for creating this site and letting me know that I am not alone with receiving these and answering them. I filled it out. We keep refusing them and they keep threatening us. I propose: 1) Grabbing your video recorder and recording the entire exchange. These people can often stop this kind of activity. Those of you who filled it out have no backbone or common sense. He had to come through a closed gate. On saturday he returned but I did not answer the door. The U.S. Census Bureau is suspending efforts to create neighborhood-level statistics on the citizenship and age of residents, using 2020 census data, in the latest rollback of Trump administration. I feel kind of sick too. in the '90s the Commerce Dept decided that I was a resort or apartment complex owner and harassed me to fill out a survey detailing my expenditures on repairs, income reports etc. How many is all they need to know. [27] Andrew Reamer, To Take a Bite Out of Crime: Safeguard the Census, https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/to-take-a-bite-out-of-crime-safeguard-the-census/. The surveyor didn't respond to that one when we had a "terse" discussion with them today. Today's call is being recorded. It is just such a sick country now. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey - A Guide-Star In Jeopardy Thank you for being here. If the federal government had been granted the general power to make inquires into the private affairs of the American people through the Census or a congressional mandated survey, then the Supreme Court could not have made this ruling. By the way, from what I read in Title 13, the max they can fine you is $100 for not filling out the form, or max $500 for false information. They left me a message to call them back and referred me to a case number. They do snoop around. I might have to go outside and see if Big Brother is installing hidden cameras. How do I know these census folks are trustworthy? [36] This same principle could apply to questions posed by ACS agents. We already did our duty and answered the regular census. Next, they sent a real ***** who first harassed my child after being told that I was out of town (I was), then tried to enter our residence (my son was sitting there watching as the doorknob turned). Two weeks later, I received a second call from a different zip code with another lady asking if I still had the ACS form. We live in a sanctuary city and those who work and pay taxes are supporting almost half of our population. I didn't sleep well last night worrying how my civil disobedience might cost me dollars and jail. First I didn't send the form back "as soon as possible". anon88369: Census enumerators have every right to walk onto your property if they are assigned to do a questionnaire for your address. The Census Bureau does not hire temporary workers to collect data for the American Community Survey. Alternatively, those who returned the survey partially completed and communicated with the Census Bureau agents generally received more contacts. Fact Sheet: Protecting and Advancing Health Care for Transgender Adult The survey is clearly an invasion of privacy, and any attempts of the ACS to pursue a fine for failure to submit the survey should be challenged in a court of law on unconstitutional and invasion of privacy grounds. . I'll be laughing when funding for social programs and highway repair funding is cut in your area because you refused to answer simple questions that can not be connected to you. Personally, I want to know how many rental houses are in my town, I want all the representatives we deserve and I also really like looking at the 1920 and 1930 census to learn about my ancestors. Our Constitution is being dismantled before our eyes, but this will be one stand we'll make and keep encouranging others to do the same. I will not comply. I am a patriot. If you believe you are being unduly harassed by a Census Bureau employee, either by telephone or in person, it is in your best interestto carefully document the time, place and manner of the incidents and file a complaint with the U.S. Census Bureau. I am not giving my personal information out to anyone authorized by this government. Rights Radio with Dr. Joyce Starr They can send me the 2010 census with their 10 questions that I am required to answer and I will. At this point, according to the Census Bureau, a non-respondent has a 21% chance of being personally visited by a survey taker. Keep your posts coming! The census asks for the number of people who "stayed at your house on April 1, 2010." they have called me several times and asked what I did with it. You get the picture. This is to help the community -- like heck. He asked me about a census employee who visited my home the prior week. So when/if I get a visit, I can inform them of this. I first starting receiving these things by mail like 4 years ago. After spending almost an hour answering questions the first time the census take came to my house, they start calling me on Sunday afternoon -- enough is enough! I am glad I am not the only one who tossed the thing in the garbage. If it's not a big deal, then get rid of the census and don't tell me about funding- that's a load of crap! Census worker says "I am with the census.". This ACS thing is quite detailed. For years I've been very concerned about the direction that our country has been taking. we filled out the form the day it came and mailed it. Sad, but I simply do not trust the government anymore. Why am I in the unlucky 2.5%? You will need the 10-digit user ID included in the mailing your household received. She didn't have the common courtesy to disclose that little fact. Q: Does everyone in the United States receive the American Community Survey? Washington and California residents have filed a proposed class action in which they object to being asked to participate in the American Community Survey, which enquires about certain demographic details more specific than those central to the decennial Census. this person got in the building somehow! It is SBO-1 (Survey for Business Owner and Self Employed) and states that it is mandatory per Title 13 USC. In what may be a coincidence, they often seem to call shortly after we arrive home and there is a vehicle marked "census" in the neighborhood. No one will email you or be peeping at you from the census. Empowered by Congress with greater powers to amass information about citizens, the Census Bureau introduced the ACS in 2005. One week later, we got two more phone calls in one night because I hung up on the caller and he called back 20 minutes later. Year: 2021. Subscribe to GovDelivery email updates to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events about the American Community Survey. Poster 235 is on to something: maybe my neighborhood can get a new school, a new hospital, and a new fire station. This was way out of line and uncalled for! The less you say to them the faster they stop bothering you. I watched and saw that she was only there five minutes. My husband and I now know what we will do when a rep shows up at our door. Hence, you have answered the only question required by the constitution and you might have even increased the possibility for more representatives! I said I did not need any help. More money from the government for that extra lane of highway to make my commute faster. It has taken almost two decades to get it to this point where something intelligent can actually be done to manage our mess. Constitutional Q&A: American Community Survey - Rutherford I would like to recommend an alternative method of dealing with "census workers" who show up at your door to harass you for information. Washington and California residents have filed a class action in which they object to being asked to participate in the American Community Survey. But, (knock on wood again) no visits ever occurred (yet that is). Proud to be American but wondering where we will be as a nation in ten years? The issuance of summary judgmenta judgment entered by the court in favor of one party over anothermarks the end of the road for the proposed class action lawsuit detailed here. I do believe that the census information is mostly kept private though after a period of years or decades, it may become public. The next day, a woman came to my gate and was asking me to fill out the form with her. We didn't receive phone calls first, we had two visits at 7 p.m. from this lady with her little laptop. 241, 250, of all the rights of the citizen, few are of greater importance or more essential to his peace and happiness than the right of personal security, and that involves, not merely protection of his person from assault, but exemption of his private affairs, books, and papers from inspection and scrutiny of others. It came from data mining by the Pew Research Center. Unless an individual has been charged and convicted of some criminal offense connected to the Census and the crime falls within section 3559, this $5,000.00 fine does not apply. I am a nurse, taxpaying honest citizen and I will not be forced into answering these obscene questions! Bunch of grumpy anti social loners. So today I found this census worker peeping tom at my windows, which face the back woods. But I guess they probably figured that out, so decided to send it to only 2.6 percent of the population at a time. No, they aren't good people just trying to make a living as some might say. The information the government is requesting is violating our rights, whether or not it is written in the law. However, that's not all. America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers. don't let this happen! It has been done since 1790, and is mandated by the Constitution. Explore census data with visualizations and view tutorials. The questionnaire also demands that you give other information on the people in your home, such as their educational levels, how many years of school were completed, what languages they speak and when they last worked at a job, among other things. You don't want your personal information in some library, online or in an archives someday do you? Polite, firm, refusal. We had mailed the form back the day after we received it. Boreal forests could be a planet-warming 'time bomb' as wildfires The worker harassed him and told him he had to answer the question or he would be in trouble with the police. (These facilities will be contacted directly for data on sexual victimization.) Q: Are you required by law to fully complete the American Community Survey? I hung up. That's a load of crap. But my favorite is if anyone in my house has difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions, or difficulty dressing or bathing. Whats next from our GOVERNMENT; the police saying your papers please? We gave the government the right to count us. Beware The Unconstitutional Census Long Form - American Community Survey If you are contacted by Census Bureau employees, either by telephone or in person, demanding your response, you can assert your rights by politely, but firmly, informing the employee that you believe the ACS is an improper invasion of your privacy, that you do not intend to respond and that they should not attempt to contact you again. Anyone who took the time to actually read the ACS and understand how sensitive this information is and how unsecured it actually is would join in the outrage and demand that it be given its proper burial in the grave of horrible bureaucratic policy. No visits yet. We do not have to fear picking up the phone or answering our door. If the stories in this thread are true, those census workers are scum. If you are a business person you could benefit from having accurate demographic information for the United States. Oh wait, we have a socialist leader now. Chinese officials knew nothing about the virus before the pandemic emerged. Are Black Americans being locked out of the American dream of We told a census worker to come back on Friday at 6 p.m. There's no excuse for making a living out of trying to intimidate American citizens and using lies about the law to create a threatening and harassing atmosphere on one's own private property. [18] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/MortgageSMOC.pdf. According to the letter, responses to the "American Community Survey" help communities to decide where important services are needed, including improving roads and reducing traffic, building. This warning is clearly stated on the ACS envelope, and the form itself threatens a fine for people who refuse or willfully neglect to complete the survey. But, I still don't have a clue where to send the $100 fine. When does their employment end, and shouldn't they be thanking these non-compliant people for extending their pay a bit longer? Questions and Answers about the ACS in , , Franais, Kreyl ayisyen, , Polski, Portugus, , Espaol, Vit Ng. Also, it can't hurt to tell your representatives. Ain't going to happen, just call their bluff. If you can't see why many people have a problem with the ACS then I'll never be able to explain it to you. That's why every selfish person here complains that the government doesn't use resources in the right place; the government waits too long to address problems; the government wastes money. I walked over to my neighbors later that evening and they told me that she did not come by to see them, but she was very persistent about getting the birth dates, ages, place of employment, phone numbers. I did call the police on them. He didn't know what to think about that (needed to check the law), and took no action. I called his supervisor. The Rutherford Institute Who is there to police the police? That seems to be the end of it, but only time will tell. ACS is really not worth losing any sleep over. About a month ago (August 2010) I received my first ACS phone inquiry. The majority of the survey questions were drawn from published surveys [13, 20, 21]. I plead the 5th amendment because the government can ask legally, according to the attorneys office, but I can also remain silent legally. To those of you who claim to be "harassed" by these enumerators, why didn't you just complete the Census form you received in the mail back in March and send it back? To those who say they can't publish anything like that, I have seen it. Methodology Statement: 2015-2019 American Community Survey MARCH 2021 6 with populations greater than 65,000) requires a 12-month sample. Apr 15 -- The Census Bureau invites comments to OMB by May 16, 2022 on the three-year extension of the American Community Survey and the Puerto Rico Community Survey. do i have right to due process? And, further, we cannot wire tap calls coming into this country from suspected terrorists, but we can create bogus laws to try to make us fill out the ACS which provides more personal information than any wire tap could on american citizens. So, I tore off the page with my address on it and shredded it, and then I tossed the rest of the survey into the garbage. While. They just closed one of the best schools in the area, and nobody surveyed me to ask if I cared about that! Another concern raised by the Brookings Institute is the use of ACS information by law enforcement for crime mapping, a surveillance tool used to predict crime and preemptively target certain neighborhoods for policing. First, a Census Bureau employee left a note at his apartment asking him to contact her. Public servants are just public burdens and every time their benefits cost more I have to pay for them and I don't even have any myself!!! Some citizens believe that city planning should be carried out through the collection of anonymous, aggregate information. Did not need the closing statement. To sign up for updates please enter your email address. About the American Community Survey Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions? D. oes anyone understand what is involved in managing 300 million people spread out over an entire continent, each thinking all that matters is their individual needs? Wow! We should not have to fear such "power hungry, and commission-crazy animals! The data bank, like any data bank, runs the risk of being hacked or accessed by dishonest parties. The calls started today. American Community Survey. We do live in a relatively remote area, and none of them can make sense of maps they are provided with. The next day I called back and talked to a different agent or whatever they are. My husband and I run a small trucking company, and we received a census form for the business. Is the 'American Community Survey' Letter a Scam or Legit? I just left a "Tea Party" I found out I'm not the only 1 that was asked to fill out two census forms, one asking me if I could go up and down stairs, how long it takes for my husband to go to work, how does he get there,how many rooms is in my house, do I have flush toilets, what kind of health insurance, how much is my house payment, insurance on my house, do I have insurance, etc. A tactic that is used too frequently in our society as a means of control. I still am in my boxers since I just woke up and surely was not prepared for a slew of questions from this guy who was getting paid my tax money to invade my privacy). Well the federal government is functioning way beyond its legal powers and I will not feed that machine. Then you've got them by the balls. In the end, the Census Bureau has the legal authority to conduct the survey and legally has the option of imposing fines for non-compliance. this census is complete crap and an invasion of my rights a a citizen. Q: What are my options for objecting to the ACS survey as an intrusion on my Fourth Amendment rights? 1 in 4 Black transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in past I will not answer the questions on the American Community Survey and we all have the right and the duty to stand up against this intrusion. Firm, clear refusal. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Do you think Cass Sunstein knowing how many people, of what age, have physical and emotional disabilities is for the benefit of your family? I live in a high-rise condo building (where I rent), so let them come get me. The survey goes to a random sample of addresses in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Those of you who are posting "what's the big deal" need to start doing some research on your government and the shady things that go on at the taxpayers' cost. Get over yourselves! Section a authorizes every 10 years starting April 1. We had a census worker come to our door who started asking personal questions, until my hubby finally said that's enough. 3) If by some chance they go for it, ask them the most embarrassing, asinine, or silly questions you can think of. I won't either. Q: What kind of questions are contained in the ACS? Turns out, the worker knew where my husband works and called him there shortly after. Matthew J. Holian, "Data and the American Dream: Contemporary Social I have written both my senators, Warner and Webb of Virginia, and stated my refusal to comply with the ACS. True Nazism at its finest. This is such an invasion of privacy. We will then see them online. Measuring America's People, Places, and Economy. If such a law exists, it should not exist, for it would be truly unconstitutional. We haven't been bothered since. I never have, EVER owned an apartment or resort. Just hang tough and they will eventually leave you alone. Since 2005, the Census Bureau has administered a set of probing questions to a large random sample of Americans each year. I will not submit. I will give the information to those who really need it to improve my neighborhood, city, county, etc. A 72 year old lady showed up at my door yesterday (I being a 65 year old great grandmother), and told me I did not fill my form out properly and it got "kicked out". Someone brought up a good point, either here or on another forum. I tossed out both copies of the ACS long form. Unreal! Please, that's where this money is going in there pockets. Once at 6:11, 7:15, and then 8:05. I was hot and told her I have her number and I will call when I'm ready. I'm paid 400 goats and a chest of elderberries in barter for my services. This is proof that the government of the USA is anything but the servant that it was created to be. This is out of control. People, look around you and see. I am so glad to once again stand up for my individual rights. Happy evading! Quid pro quo," then slam the door in their face. A: The ACS contains questions that go far beyond typical census questions about the number of individuals within the household and their age, race, and sex. They have done a great job keeping businesses from behaving unethically, unsafely, and preventing them from attaining wealth at the cost of human life - whether from unfair wages and industrial practices or from the mass-physiological effects (brainwashing) of citizens from the huge-budget video/audio buy-buy-buy television addiction machine, or from the shortening of each human life and the human race entirely that is the natural result of reallocating, changing, destroying natural resources to produce worthless tidbits of crap (no matter how "convenient or interesting or entertaining it may seem in the end it is crap and it won't make you happy or more lovable or life more simple or whatever their marketing department's angle is -- it is just crap that is killing all of us and wasting all those workers' lives). Get every bit of info on that person I can (don't forget to do a criminal search) and call them and start asking them questions they will find offensive and question them about their personal life from what I find out about them. The American Community Survey (ACS) qualifies as a government program whose purpose, while seemingly benign, raises significant constitutional concerns. If threatened with a fine or even prison, I will say, "Bring it on!" I've been through one round of the no-response ordeal back in '08 and everything turned out just fine. Erie residents worry that American Community Survey is a scam He came by every hour starting at 6 Thursday. If they aren't paying my bills they don't have a need to know how much they are. It's not their business. They had been to my house (outside) and told me this was coming. We received the form last spring. Further, congressional rules on enforcement were controlled by the Republican Congressional Committee overseeing Census Bureau Operations, when the Republicans controlled congress. How many of our signers of the Declaration of Independence would fill out and sign THIS ACS form? He presented me with an ACS envelope and said a "government guy" had come to school and was having random students fill them out. In other contexts, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that citizens have no obligation to answer questions posed by the government and are free to refuse to do so. The judge summarized that general statements made by the Census Bureau with regard to, say, the support of federal law or that taking the ACS was required by U.S. law fall short of the benchmark necessary to constitute a specific threat of prosecution.