The stay-at-home mandates imposed by the threat of the coronavirus has forced the way the 2020 Census is reaching out to US residents.
Local agencies reaching out to the AAPI communities have turned their efforts to a more digital strategy, using PSAs, viral videos, and social media to encourage individuals to fill out the 2020 Census.
"For a community that includes undocumented immigrants and individuals in mixed-status households, we know some are still hesitant about completing the census so we are doing all we can to give them reassurance that we are here to support them through our census hotline, census pledge, and numerous resources on the website," says Terry Ao Minnis, senior director of census and voting programs for Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.
The website has resources in 23 different languages from factsheets and PSAs to webinars and toolkits to help people understand the importance of the census and locally help our communities be counted fairly and accurately.
"The census is our opportunity as a community to be counted and seen, gain representative power, and get our fair share of resources," says Aarti Kohli, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus. "
"The Asian and Pacific Islander community is poised to be the largest immigrant group, but we are so much more than a political label," Kohli continued. "We are diverse in cultures, languages, histories, with unique challenges and needs. Participating in the census is one of the most important tools of democracy available to us to announce our growth, and diversity in this country."
The best time to fill out the census is now when COVID-19 has forced people indoors for their safety. It only takes several minutes to fill out the census. As we all share concern for the health and safety of our family, friends, and neighbors and worry about the economic impact of this pandemic, we can do something now to contribute to our long-term economic and community prosperity by filling out the census.
"We understand the concern on everyone's mind to remain healthy, and for that reason, it's best to respond online, over the phone or by mail as soon as invitations are received," says June Lim, demographic research project director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice - LA.
"Simply follow the instructions in your preferred language to answer the nine questions. Amongst other languages, you are able to complete the census online or by phone in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Census Bureau has printed visual language guides available in 59 language options and video guides to completing the Census online in 63 languages."
The 2020 Census will determine many aspects of our lives, children, and neighbors for the next 10 years, including voting representation. In some parts of the country, the outcome of the census data is the difference between a gain or loss of seats in Congress.
Through the data collected, the Census could determine the allocation of more than $1.5 trillion in annual federal funding determines where new schools are built, financial aid for college students, and where new roads and businesses are located.
"Each of us has a role to play when it comes to the census. Every household matters. We need census data to advocate for the resources and representation our communities deserve. If we don't respond now, we risk limiting this powerful advocacy tool and we could feel the impact over the next decade," says Stephanie Cho, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta.
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