How can the 2010 U.S. Census reach out to immigrants when ICE keeps raiding their communities?

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency could not be conducting immigration raids in Santa Ana at a worst time.  Two such raids were spotted this weekend, and yet another today.

The 2010 U.S. Census is beginning in March, and will run throughout 2010.  In fact the Santa Ana office of the Census is opening this week, on January 7. 

In fact the City of Santa Ana is promoting the Census on their website.  Why?  Simple.  If we don’t accurately count everyone in our city, we will pay for it.  “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,” according to the U.S. Census.

Simply put, we need everyone to participate in the Census – but these ICE raids are going to scare many residents in our city.  They won’t want to talk to the Census takers.  That is a disaster for Santa Ana!

This is such an important issue that the Census offers a toolkit on their website, for reaching out to immigrants.

So why aren’t our local politicians doing anything about these raids?

What about Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez?  State Senator Lou Correa?  Assemblyman Jose Solorio?  We need to hear from all of them!  They need to step up and denounce these raids.

Click here to contact Congresswoman Sanchez.  Click here to contact Assemblyman Solorio.  Click here to contact State Senator Correa.

And be sure to call the hotline to report ICE raids at 951-345-4043, or click here to send the info via email.

Now is NOT the time to be scaring and arresting our residents!