While I also oppose the Census form being sent out, -anon70698, the number of representatives and taxes will be determined by the number of people in the area is what Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution is about. Eventually, a Census Bureau worker begins calling the home in an effort to elicit answers. 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. They aren't the enemy, so I don't act hostile towards them, but it still unnerves me how they got my cell phone number. The rest I will leave blank or make up. Actual enumeration is required. I'm glad they didn't refuse to answer such personal questions as name and age. Uncle Sam gets my money but what happens in my home stays in my home. Q: Is this an unconstitutional invasion of privacy? American Community Survey Welcome! Cowards! anon77096: Why would anybody want federal funding for anything? If Americans wish to be free of judicial tyranny, they must at least develop basic knowledge of the judicial role in our republican government. how the hell does she know me and what i look like, she's never been to our door yet. I am just not going to answer any questions. Too many are dependent on the government already. We are given dominion (care) over so much and neglect it, destroy it, and enslave it. No thanks, poster 188. She then stated that she has not talked to the supervisor. [30] The Census Bureau also maintains that responding to the ACS is mandatory and that recipients are legally obligated to answer all questions.[31]. Happy evading! Throw the thing in the garbage, leave on your answering machine for a few weeks, and slam the door in the face of anyone who comes by. As a retired LEO, state law keeps all my info private, unless court ordered. I was told if I didn't answer then his supervisor would come out and if I didn't respond to his supervisor, they would return with a Larimer County Sheriff and then I would have to answer or else! I am so glad to once again stand up for my individual rights. Corrado Rizzi is the Senior Managing Editor of ClassAction.org. I work for a defense contractor, and when I applied for a security clearance, there were way fewer questions, and much less invasive than were on the ACS long form. A study published in 2021 by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that transgender people in the United States are more likely to be violently attacked than cisgender people. My husband sent him away as we were eating. The American Community Survey is mailed to 2.5% of the American population to collect statistical information for city planning. Let's get them to spread the word. A: If you receive notice that you have been targeted to respond to the ACS and you desire to assert your right of privacy, you can voice those objections and your intent not to respond to the ACS by writing a letter to the Census Bureau. 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-year estimates are now available, including the Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) and Variance Replicate Estimate (VRE) Tables. He said, "I'll see what I can do." I am a retired airline captain and a former captain in the U.S.A.F. I insisted that the little brownshirt leave and go look in the mailroom because I was not going to do it over again-like I have nothing better to doshe said I was in BIG trouble because she could FORCE me to do it over. I actually worked for the Census in 1970. 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. Anyway he proceed to stretch as much as he could so he could look into my living room. We've tossed two surveys in the recycle bin. "Only a few questions"? I'm not sure I'd complete it though. I read him the 4th Amendment which states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." I sent in the Census form (and that's all I'm required to provide). The threat is there because it works. I suspect the caller will hang up and take you off the list. The data bank, like any data bank, runs the risk of being hacked or accessed by dishonest parties. American Community Survey questionnaire. Reporting instructions: I took the job because it pays really well. we need to stop fighting and come together, reminiscent of the black panthers and Raymond Washington. I am a prisoner in my own home. As long as there are enough people who didn't fill out the census? He wanted my son's name and address. Empowered by Congress with greater powers to amass information about citizens, the Census Bureau introduced the ACS in 2005. Thank you, wonderful conspiracy theorists for repeatedly posting erroneous information on here and showing everyone that you truly have no life. In the article above, it mentions the fine is per offense; but I did not read that anywhere in Title 13. I love hearing this we live in the greatest country. The information that they collect will be used against us in our most crucial moments. Unbelievable! One week later, we got two more phone calls in one night because I hung up on the caller and he called back 20 minutes later. That means *not* having our door pounded on constantly and yelled at that we are violating the law by not allowing these rude, despicable low class jerks into our homes! I am not giving my personal information out to anyone authorized by this government. Someone brought up a good point, either here or on another forum. The census taker left a note me a note today. we demand a trial by jury of our pears, but how many wiggle, squirm and lie every which way to get out of serving when it's their turn? 0607-810 expired on 05/31/2008. I will not answer the questions on the ACS. In 2000 I refused to fill mine out. 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. So today I found this census worker peeping tom at my windows, which face the back woods. I was in my PJs and answered the door, thinking it was a neighbor. The SS Admin does not care. Sure, businessmen could use the info -- but because someone wants it, doesn't mean that I have to give it. finally he told her he would call the cops if she didn't leave. I guess the fear that they may be prosecuted for trespassing on private property wasn't worth the questionnaire. This is how those rich people are rich, those "powerful" people are "powerful", and those happy people are happy. The Institute provides its legal services at no charge to persons whos constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated. This is a bunch of crap. Sorry, but you are really just not important enough for them to worry about, certainly not as much as you are obviously worrying about them. I did not ask for this; this is not an application for credit. The Census Bureau claims that it has the right to impose a $5,000 fine for failure to fill out the American Community Survey, but online sources suggest that they have never actually ever used this "power" - possibly due to the lawsuit that might result. Moreover, Title 13 of the U.S. Code allows for monetary penalties only when the ACS's inquiries are within the scope of questions included in the complete census, and only if the Secretary has 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. No one from the Census has ever said they would come back with the sheriff - the sheriff would simply laugh at them if they ever asked. Thank you for creating this site and letting me know that I am not alone with receiving these and answering them. I will not comply. Do they ever stop with this? That's when I lost my patience and said "Look pal, you're here to count people right. The letter accompanying the census form indicates it's used to decide how many representatives each state has in congress, and how much money my 'neighborhood' receives from the government. its nothing short of communism folks!! Survey/Program: American Community Survey. If there was no response by the time we finished our list, we were to call again. I also mentioned that unless a US Marshal from the Justice Department accompanied him, I would simply ignore him and would call the police if further harassed. We need to take our country back. So give them a call or send an e-mail and see if someone there can help stop the phone calls. When they ask for race, that's what gets me. The next day I got an e-mail saying that the "government guy" was OK with it and that I should return the form. Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation. However, the gap between homeownership rates not only persists, but has grown. Browse our topics and subtopics to find information and data. Currently, Oscar is a 7-year-old boy with ODD whose refusal behaviors have begun to be both verbally aggressive and physically violent. That's all it is. For our government to function basic knowledge about the country as a whole, and individual states is required. He asked if I would consent to a phone survey and I could decline from answering any questions I thought were too personal or intrusive. I am standing firm this time. how much to start our businesses etc. My first question is: which section authorizes ACS? "; "How many times a day do you fantasize about blowing up a federal building? It's a breath of fresh air. I have no idea about the ACS (or any of their personal questions). Public servants are just public burdens and every time their benefits cost more I have to pay for them and I don't even have any myself!!! BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS. The American Community Survey (ACS) qualifies as a government program whose purpose, while seemingly benign, raises significant constitutional concerns. There is only a theoretical possibility that they could fine you. I personally do not want to answer because it's just a habit but if they did catch me off-guard, I would probably give them an answer of some sort (like I am a boyfriend who is watching my girlfriend's house while she's away with the peace corps for six months and that I already answered the census for my home a few blocks away). This survey is not some spur of the moment mandate by the current administration. I agree with telling I live here, how many live here, as it's just counting folks to help with how many people have how many reps in congress and Senate. [22] For 12 of those categories, the information is used to assist private corporations. I never will. The American Community Survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Don't be paranoid, it's only a few questions a lot of people already know about you anyway. I left all of the other personal and private questions in the survey unanswered. You would have done well in the SS. When approached by census officials I will state that my religious beliefs prohibit giving any information beyond my name and the number of people in my house. Asking for federal money or federal representation is a huge mistake.