Why the Census Matters for Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) Communities in the DMV Area
Created by Justice For Muslims Collective for Community Members
Every 10 years the U.S. government counts every person living in the country as part of the U.S. Census. The next census is on April 1, 2020 and will be available online. The U.S. Census is an opportunity to accurately count Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities and allocate funding for critical resources.
CENSUS TIMELINE
March 12 - 20: Households will receive official Census Bureau mail (see sample on back) with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online
March 16 - 24: A reminder letter will be sent
If you haven’t responded:
March 26 - April 3: Reminder postcard
April 1: National Census Day
April 8 - 16th: A reminder letter and paper questionnaire.
April 20- 27: Final postcard reminder before in-person visits begin.
May: In person follow-up with households that have not responded to the 2020 Census
May 27-August 14: In person follow-up with households that have not responded to the 2020 Census
WHAT DOES THE CENSUS ASK ME?
Number of people in the household (including children and non-citizen family)
Do you own or rent your home?
Telephone number
Name, sex, age, and date of birth of each person in the household (including children and non-citizen family)
Race - not all AMEMSA racial groups are listed as check box options
Step 1: Check off the “some other race” category (last box underneath the question)
Step 2: Write in your families origin (for example Somali, Lebanese, Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CENSUS?
The Census form is available online in 12 non-English languages including Arabic. Informational guides are available in over 20 AMEMSA languages here: https://bit.ly/2vX3n4r
WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR AMEMSA COMMUNITIES IN 2020?
An accurate count of our communities is necessary for critical state programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Affordable Housing, Transportation/Roads, and Education. Businesses use Census data to decide which services and jobs are available to our communities. The Census also determines Congressional and electoral representation for each state.
OUR COMMUNITIES RECEIVE FUNDING FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL COUNTED IN THE CENSUS:
Virginia receives $2,000 per year for each counted resident.
Maryland receives $1,800 per year for each counted resident.
D.C. received $6 billion dollars in federal aid based on the 2010 Census.
IS MY INFORMATION SAFE?
It is against the law for the Census Bureau to share any of your data. We encourage you to respond to the Census to the best of your abilities. If you have any issues with Census related security please reach out to the hotlines below.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CENSUS?
Email Justice for Muslims Collective with your questions at dcjusticeformuslims@gmail.com
CALL THE FOLLOWING CENSUS LANGUAGE HOTLINES FOR IN-LANGUAGE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE:
Beginning in March 2020, households will receive official Census Bureau mail with information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online.
Below is what the official government mailer will look like:
