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2010 U.S. CensusInformation for International Students and ScholarsMany Boston University international students and scholars have begun receiving information from the U.S. Census Bureau and may have questions regarding the purpose of the census, if you are required to participate, and potential consequences of answering the questionnaire. This message is being sent to provide a very brief overview and to direct you to resources for finding more information. In short, you are required to participate in the census and doing so will have no impact on your immigration status or legal standing in the U.S. The information collected in the census is kept confidential and not shared with other government agencies.
(All of the following information was adapted from materials published by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Background The census is a headcount
of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas regardless
of citizenship or immigration status. The U.S. Constitution empowers
the Congress to carry out the census in "such manner as they
shall by Law direct" (Article I, Section 2). This was part
of the plan of the Founders of the U.S. to empower the people over
their government. This count happens only once every 10 years. An
accurate count of residents in intended to provide for better infrastructure
and appropriate distribution of services. The information the census
collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of
federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services
like:
Who Participates? Everyone in the United States on April 1, including international students and scholars . Everyone in the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens.
Why are international students and scholars included in the census? The Census Bureau is mandated by the Constitution to count everyone who lives in this country, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. So even if the U.S. is not your country of citizenship, if you live in the U.S. most of the year, you will be counted in the census.
What is Your Living Situation? Living on campus: If you live in a dormitory, residence hall, sorority or fraternity house, you will receive a 2010 Census form in April or May 2010 to fill out for you individually. Living off campus: If you live off campus, 2010 Census forms will be delivered or mailed to your house or apartment in March 2010. All students living at the address are considered one household, so only one form per domicile should be completed with information about all the people living at that address. Return the form in the U.S. mail envelope provided. Living with parents or guardians: If you commute to school and reside full-time at your parents' or guardians' household, you should be accounted for on your parents' or guardians' household form so no need to fill out a form. Will the census share my information with anyone? No. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's census questionnaire responses with anyone, including the FBI, the CIA, Welfare, Immigration, other government agencies, or law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees have taken an oath to protect confidentiality and know that they are subject to a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.
More Information Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the following web pages of the U.S. Census Bureau.
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