US Census 2000   by Victor Pinzon

We, at The Americas Foundation encourages every resident of the United States, whether a US
citizen or not to make sure that you are counted by the US census. This is most necessary for
each and all Hispanics, whether you are US citizen, resident, visiting, or even "indocumentados."
The Federal government decides most of its policies based on the US Census, including the
funding, services, congressional districts and with that political representation.

The information you give to the US Census is totally confidential. Under penalty of criminal law,
no US Census official, employee or agent may divulge to anyone, including FBI, CIA, NIS, etc.
any information he or she has received within the US Census program.

The US Census Bureau is gearing up to the decennial head count of the nation. The following are
some of the highlights:

275 million                     US residents
118 million                     housing units
3 million                         job applicants recruited
860,000                           total jobs
520                                 local Census offices, 12 regional Census centers and 4 data processing
                                     centers
20 million                       maps needed for field work
40 million to 70 million  questionaires returned during the peak two-week period

Timetable

JANUARY TO MAY         Census takers visit housing units in rural and remote areas to drop off and
                                     pick up forms.

Mid-MARCH                   First census questionaires delivered by mail.

APRIL 1, 2000                 US Census 2000; Census Day

Mid-APRIL-early JULY    Census takers visit housing units that did not return census forms.

DECEMBER 31, 2000      Apportionment counts delivered to the President.

APRIL 1, 2001                 All states receive redistricting counts.

Type of Forms

Short form
Time to complete               10 minutes
Questions                         Name, sex, age, relationship, Hispanic origin, race, housing type
83%                                  of the households receive the short form

Long form
Time to complete                 38 minutes
Questions                           34 subjects, including education, ancestry, employment, disability
                                         and home characteristics
17%                                   of the households receive the long form

Please contact us in the event you have a question or suggestion.