The two plaintiffs contest that unlike the 10-year Census, the American Community Survey is posed to a sample of a few million households each year, and those who refuse to answer the questionnaire are subject to fines of up to $5,000 per question. The case contends that the federal Census Bureau lacks the statutory and constitutional authority to force the plaintiffs and proposedclass membersto answer the American Community Surveys detailed, intrusive questions., [The plaintiffs] have in the past and will continue in the future to answer the ten-year Census, the suit states. Now.I look forward to answering that door, cell in hand, and pressing the "video record" button. Nevertheless, fines and legal action are technically possible. I then yelled at him to "beat it" - (since he could see me and it was obvious that I knew he was there.). I told that I had already fulfilled my Constitutional duties as a citizen with my mailed-in short form, and then told her the ACS and her harassment of me in my home is unconstitutional. Hard to believe they did not receive it or they lost it. Thanks! He stated I would receive no further calls from the census but the next contact would be from the Justice department. I'm planning on returning it blank, with a letter stating the reason for not complying is the OMB# expiration. Someone said they can find all our info on the internet anyway. Mykel. One recipient who did complete the survey but whose answers were misplaced by the Census Bureau wrote about his experience. Spending good taxpayer dollars on another social joke. How many times has this person been married? Do some research for "0810" without the quotes and you'll find that OMM no. He called and left a message to call him to make an appointment to fill out the form. this person got in the building somehow! The woman was carrying a clip board. PDF Methodology I would like to inform all participants that your lines have been placed on a listen-only mode until the question-and-answer session of today's call. If my birth date is going to help somebody get elected or the state (district) gain an extra seat in the house, then get the expecting mothers' due dates for the year while at it. When I saw the personal and invasive nature of recent Census, I was irate. [14] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/StructureRooms.pdf. To sign up for updates please enter your email address. I suggest that people find a petition out there against this census survey. They bring in all additional people running up monies needed for schools, social programs. Ultimately, you might just need to either answer the census to get them to stop coming or, as an alternative, make up answers to protect your privacy. They again called a few days ago and I answered. So, do I really need to fill this out, or can I use it to line my bird cage? 1. Those of you who are interested just might try at least the internet to find out what this is all about. One concern with the collection of such private information, especially financial information, is that ACS information could be compared to information provided to the Internal Revenue Service on tax returns. [36] This same principle could apply to questions posed by ACS agents. I received the ACS and the regular Census. 3) If by some chance they go for it, ask them the most embarrassing, asinine, or silly questions you can think of. 12286: Don't worry, and don't respond. Any discrepancies, intentional or not, could result in an IRS audit of your returns. We just got the letter today, to expect the questionnaire. By Daniel T. Weaver While liberals celebrated the Trump administration's decision to not include a citizenship question on the 2020 census, they are oblivious to the fact that the question is included in the American Community Survey, what we used to call the census long form. [5] http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/forms-and-instructions/2016-form.html. I just left a "Tea Party" I found out I'm not the only 1 that was asked to fill out two census forms, one asking me if I could go up and down stairs, how long it takes for my husband to go to work, how does he get there,how many rooms is in my house, do I have flush toilets, what kind of health insurance, how much is my house payment, insurance on my house, do I have insurance, etc. Read our FAQs or call us for more help with the survey. With two teen daughters, I don't want anyone having any extra information. I had never heard of such a thing. I got the ACS forms and I am scared to be fined. I just received the ACS survey and will not be sending it in. Came back the very next day, and told my husband that he has full authority to open it and if we don't comply then we will be fined anywhere from $100-5000, and the marshal would be accompanying him tomorrow to arrest my husband if we don't comply. It is widely known that in a five-year span the Bureau lost at least 672 laptops. The census person came back by a week later. It has been more than 40 years since that was done and they do not want any court case to be brought up that can challenge the constitutionality of their threats. I had already been a victim of identity theft. Then, the phone calls started and they won't stop. They only want to know how many people live in the residents. A tactic that is used too frequently in our society as a means of control. Your results may vary but that was my experience. The Census Bureau insists that personal information contained in these devices was protected by passwords and other security measures. I served my country in Vietnam. I did not receive the additional questionnaire. Title 13 of the United States Code, however, requires that the Census Bureau keep this information confidential and subjects employees who violate this confidentiality requirement to a fine of up to $250,000 USD, up to 5 years imprisonment, or both. I googled the name and phone number, found out their spouses name where they lived, etc. First of all, get a clue! any lawyers looking for some pro bono work ready to take up this issue? Isn't this harassment? Then I asked the census taker her birth date, and I again got no answer. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation. Homeownership rates, both overall and for white and Black Americans, have increased since 1994. A week later, a woman came to my door and said they hadn't received my form. Let's get them to spread the word. Have you ever filed taxes? Explain that their responses will constitute consent to display the video online. You will need the 10-digit user ID included in the mailing your household received. I'm a 59 year old retired female and as a rule, I never 'buck' the system -- until now. I'm a stay-at-home Momma with a toddler daughter. Box/Route Number Area code. The role of defense styles and psychopathological symptoms on adherence Subscribe to GovDelivery email updates to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events about the American Community Survey. This is proof that the government of the USA is anything but the servant that it was created to be. I repeatedly told her that I gave the legal information I am required by law and that is how many people live here. We told a census worker to come back on Friday at 6 p.m. Finally, the last enumerator knocked one more time, then took away the last notice, which I decided to leave there. Class Action: Consumers Take Issue with American Community Survey and They would have to take you to court, and they haven't done that EVER. Another concern raised by the Brookings Institute is the use of ACS information by law enforcement for crime mapping, a surveillance tool used to predict crime and preemptively target certain neighborhoods for policing. --Paul. American Community Survey Welcome! There is only a theoretical possibility that they could fine you. We will then see them online. City Manager; Commissioner of the Revenue She was a little surprised how I knew things about her. SSV-6. Federal law mandates as much, but the bureau also doesn't seek to penalize individuals who fail to participate. Just sit there and think a minute on what we have in this country and you should feel very ashamed for getting so upset about such petty things. they started harassing my boyfriend and some how i got thrown into it because i live here. so earlier before i got home he called me and told me his story of her showing up. As a result, they are subject to monetary fines for doing nothing more than keeping the private details of their lives private.. Aliza Shatzman - President and Founder - The Legal - LinkedIn the government was never constitutionally mandated to provide funds. From the American Community Survey and your tax dollars at work. This is to help the community -- like heck. The census man came to my house eight times, two of which he sat in my driveway for a total of 50 minutes. Well, our credit cards, social security numbers, and who knows what else, are now being used by illegal aliens and fraudulent companies. Dr. Richard Pan is an innovative, dynamic, mission-driven health care leader with over thirty-five years of experience in health policy and public health as pediatrician, educator and legislator. Asking for federal money or federal representation is a huge mistake. The Legal Accountability Project is a nonprofit aimed at ensuring that as many law . do i have right to due process? Somehow big brother got out phone number (it's unlisted) and started calling, and we blocked him. My 15 year old son was home at the time of the census worker stopping by. For example, lets say in 1790, two years after the ratification of the Constitution, Congress prepared a budget and decided to impose a direct tax to raise the needed revenue. With a president and congress that constantly lie about everything, how do they expect me to believe that the information on the Census form is truly confidential? I am 66 years old and I have never participated in any census. As long as there are enough people who didn't fill out the census? Year: 2021. Look it up. I do believe that the census information is mostly kept private though after a period of years or decades, it may become public. Share the creative ways you use American Community Survey data to make decisions. Polite, firm, refusal. Point and go toward your kind of happy. I am with all of you that it is all wrong and will not return the form. 241, 250, of all the rights of the citizen, few are of greater importance or more essential to his peace and happiness than the right of personal security, and that involves, not merely protection of his person from assault, but exemption of his private affairs, books, and papers from inspection and scrutiny of others. The Census Bureau can't issue a fine, they have to refer the case to the Dept. This ACS thing is quite detailed. I noticed a car pull up to my neighbor's house. I asked my accountant about them and he recommended not to fill them out. A week later, the same worker showed up and said it was my last chance or I could be fined and possibly jailed. I have a meeting with my congressional representative this morning to let him know that I am not returning this form, and to hand him personally the form that I was sent. Waiting for the calls, then the visits. We do not have to be subjected to this mistreatment, Ladies and Gentlemen!! Three times they sent people to our door, and three times I walked out the back door, and turned on the water. If you are a business person you could benefit from having accurate demographic information for the United States. Three times they were soaked standing at my door. I made the mistake of answering some questions, thinking it was a one time thing. The issuance of summary judgmenta judgment entered by the court in favor of one party over anothermarks the end of the road for the proposed class action lawsuit detailed here. (address, city, county, state, zip). About 40 phone calls to date, some leave messages while others hang up. "is your name blah blah blah?" Ive requested that you respect my privacy once, in writing, in the note I returned with your survey. I propose: 1) Grabbing your video recorder and recording the entire exchange. Well it started for me. Also, it can't hurt to tell your representatives. Thomas Jefferson. I told them I was not responding, and as I shut the door and walked away she stood on the porch and rang the bell, and since then it's all gone down hill. 8) Stop embezzling trillions of tax payers dollars for fraudulent purposes. Why am I being asked for my name? We are still Americans and do not need to share personal information against our will. There is absolutely no possibility they can guarantee this information will not be disseminated to others or exposed to malevolent wrongdoers. Can I file a harassment claim somewhere? Also available, The Rutherford Institute has developed a form letter that you may use in standing up against the governments attempt to force you to disclose personal information. Fix this problem, fix that, insure this, promise that, but do it without any info, just throw a dart and hope for the best, then when it fails we'll have someone to blame it on, but it won't be our fault! A: Those who do not answer the ACS risk repeated overturesby mail, by phone and in personfrom Census Bureau employees seeking to compel a response. It is not the same people each time - many different ones wondering around. The survey also asks how many bedrooms and bathrooms you have in your house, along with the fuel used to heat your home, the cost of electricity, what type of mortgage you have and monthly mortgage payments, property taxes and so on. OMB No. ACS was conducted vigorously and continuously during the presidency of George W. Bush. I have half a mind to call the local news media and tell them this story. The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. Lock and Load. After a couple of weeks of harassing phone calls and knocks on my door, I sent the following letter, after which the harassment finally stopped. Lastly, if you are a proper pet owner, then you consider you dog, cat, etc. The American Community Survey is an offshoot of the census, but the ACS is done every year. She left. S1901 INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2021 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) View All 23 Products. If it's not a big deal, then get rid of the census and don't tell me about funding- that's a load of crap! I say the heck with Big Brother, ours is going in the garbage, and I'm no longer answering their calls (love caller ID)! They left before they arrived. Where did they get the data? I've since received a second one, and had one call this week(which I did not answer). We have received 2 ACS long forms and multiple phone calls and now a front door visit. The state police will show up and *escort* them off your property. Instead of counting the entire population once a decade like the census, the ACS surveys a sample of the population (about 3.5 million addresses) every year to create statistics for the nation, states and communities down to the "tract" or neighborhood level. I've received two of these obscene forms and I do not to answer any of the questions printed thereon. Anytime you give out information, you can bet it gets compromised. 10 minutes ago I felt apprehensive. Chinese officials knew nothing about the virus before the pandemic emerged. It's those times that make the job really enjoyable because I share their pride. Anyway, this guy knocked twice or three time so I ignored him. Of course, I had no clothes on, not expecting a peeping tom to be looking out of the woods in the first place. Uncle Sam gets my money but what happens in my home stays in my home. If we don't stand up and protect our rights we will lose them b/c the gvmt is all too happy to take as many away as possible for their own benefit at our expense. Kilbourn v. Thompson, 103 U.S. 168, 190. Stonewall them out. It's 1984 - no wait, I mean 2010. Jun 2022 - Present10 months. These "enumerators" aren't policemen and they can't make you answer their questions or let them into your house. As she walked away, I told her that her husband Ray just called and wanted her to stop at the store at a location next to her house. If it is kept under the radar, then there are not enough people screaming to make a difference. Filled out the short form minus birth dates. I felt like cursing this lady out! In 1960, the gap was . anon88369: Census enumerators have every right to walk onto your property if they are assigned to do a questionnaire for your address. Therefore, if a person representing a two-person household refused to fill out any questions or simply answered nonsensically, the total fines could range from upwards of $10,000 and $50,000 for noncompliance. However, the Website for the U.S. Census Bureau. Research brought me here. ENUMERATION NATION: Refusing The American Community Survey He first announced the effect on Congressional districts based on the Population shifts from the Northeast to the South and Southwest. Lock I have a five year old. From reading here, it looks like disclosing phone numbers is just an additional way of eventually breaking you down. See Clemons v. U.S. Dep't of Commerce, 710 F. Supp. Pericles, 460BC. The second time I got a call, I followed the recommendation of a fellow patriot. So hesitantly, I began to fill it out. Cowards! Since when has the Federal government come to my door or anyone elses and said "We want to help you get your road paved" or any other helpful act, and then asked me for my help by filling out a form to prove the necessity? The Census sites say as much if you read them, something like 'well wee don't really want to fine anyone'. When a citizen does not answer the ACS within 30 days, a second ACS form is automatically mailed. Wow! This is plain wrong! The plan to use lap tops to do the door to door counts for non-respondents has already been junked. I'll give you potential issues with being counted. BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS. Matthew J. Holian, "Data and the American Dream: Contemporary Social Controversies and the American Community Survey" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) Awards and Nominations. If anyone would love to start a case action in this matter feel free to get a hold of me. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Mansoura University institutional research board with approval number: R.22.03.1639. Anything that you answer can be used for this book, which is usually for your town, county, etc. i get home don't even get out of the parking lot, she pulls up. The survey is clearly an invasion of privacy, and any attempts of the ACS to pursue a fine for failure to submit the survey should be challenged in a court of law on unconstitutional and invasion of privacy grounds. With the census bureau losing over 600 laptops, and the current abuses of power, I see no reason to give out the information that they are asking. Be sure to document any interactions you have with Bureau representatives for your own files. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS I don't bother to answer my phone unless I know who it is. I am filling out the ACS as required by law, but feel this is a true invasion of privacy. Bunch of grumpy anti social loners. Is the enemy offshore or some creep in a bloated Federal Dept we don't even need? Since then, they have called three or four times and stopped by multiple times. The U.S. Census has nothing to do with Obama nor most of the accusations you are flippantly throwing up online. this implies you have obligations to help the government count but not to answer every intrusive question they might ask. I did not send it back, I received another and still did not fill it out. Now I find out he has been to my place of employment looking for me. Don't get mad because many of us don't want to fill out the form. EXCLUDE State operated juvenile residential facilities. I vote, and if the politicians do not honor their promises when they get into office, I'm sure Uncle Sam couldn't care less about what my area needs either. I just got my request from ACS today, late july 2010. The highly sensitive personal information provided on the ACS form gets keyed into a master data bank. I will file a class action suit against the Government if they continue to harass me and hope to gain momentum in order to force the government to be liable for any information lost on their part. I included a note with the returned survey stating that I would continue to refuse to answer these additional questions as a matter of principle, and I requested that no phone calls or visits to my home be made by your agency.