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Statement of Hispanic Clergy in Support of the 2010 Census The Census count plays a critical role in shaping the nation’s landscape of political representation and funding for public services for the coming decade. According to the Census Bureau, “Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local [and] state . . . governments each year.” Particularly at this time in our nation’s history, when Latinos have become such a significant, dynamic, influential population, it is essential that their identities and voices are accurately represented and taken into account. In addition to affecting Latino representation in government, Census data also impacts public policy, and helps determine location and funding for education, healthcare, transportation, emergency response, civic infrastructure, community development, and many social service programs. These services are rendered without bias, and with no regard to legal status; in fact, the Census survey protects the privacy of respondents, and does not collect any information about individuals’ legal status. It is an unfortunate reality that Latino communities are among the most poverty-stricken, with some of the highest rates of high school drop-out, crime, unemployment, housing foreclosure, and other social challenges. We cannot afford to allow these communities to be underrepresented politically, or lacking in funding and resources to meet their most basic needs. As a nation, we must fully recognize the presence and needs of Latino communities, and begin to address them as a legitimate and integrated part of the whole. For this reason, Esperanza, the Hispanic church, and Hispanic faith leaders join with the Census Bureau and many other supporters around the country in urging Latinos to participate in the Census count, for the benefit of their families, communities, and Latinos nationwide.
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