Census Issues Clarification on 2010 Census and Law Enforcement

Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon today issued the following statement:

“Recent news articles have contained some inaccurate information regarding the 2010 Census. I would like to set the record straight.”

“First, it is premature for Census to definitively state what our full coordination efforts will be for the 2010 Census, particularly involving law enforcement agencies.”

“The Census Bureau has not requested that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency refrain from enforcing immigration laws. While previous Administrations sought to have law enforcement raids curtailed somewhat to help obtain greater accuracy, we respect ICE’s statement that they will not suspend raids even if a decision were made to ask them to do so. The Census Bureau fully recognizes that times have changed, with new challenges facing immigration authorities, and Census will change with those times.”

“For the Census Bureau to be successful in getting an accurate count of all residents (as mandated by Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution), the Census Bureau will rely heavily on trusted individuals and organizations within hard to count populations to partner with us to increase public awareness that it’s important and safe to participate in the 2010 Census.”

“The Census Bureau will complete its mission to count everyone and regrets any misimpression we left.”