Public broadcasting report says Latinos will be census focus

Census Campaign Focuses on Latinos
Rina Miller, Public Broadcasting (2009-08-06)

ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - A campaign is under way to ease some Latinos' suspicions about taking part in the U.S. Census.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is trying to get the message out that the census is a good thing - that it helps allocate services and monies where they're most needed.

Elisa Alfonso is the group's Chicago census director. She says her group wants to end mistrust of the government by explaining why the census is so important.

"The way that people allocate funds, that businesses come to areas, that we do not lose political representation, is by responding to the census," Alfonso says.

She says the census questionnaires don't ask about immigration status.

The awareness campaign began in Chicago, and is coming to Michigan town hall meetings and consulates.