August 11, 2020 (New York, NY) -- As the Sikh Coalition continues working to ensure that all Sikh Americans are counted in the 2020 Census, we want to provide you with the latest information about door-to-door census outreach, potential scams to be aware of, and more.
Door-to-door Outreach
Starting in mid-July, the Census Bureau began sending Census takers to interview households that have yet to respond to the 2020 Census. As the goal of the census is to count every person living in the United States, the Census Bureau sends Census takers from door-to-door to collect responses from households that did not respond to the census on their own.
Census takers will attempt to reach households up to six times. Census takers can be expected to visit between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, and, if someone answers the door, will ask 10 questions to collect basic information about your household and the people who live in it.
Here is what you need to know to identify a Census taker:
- ID Badge: Census takers must have an official Census Bureau identification badge
- Vehicle Identification: Census takers must have an “Official Business” notice placed on the vehicle
- Smart Device: Census takers will carry an iPhone to record information
- COVID-19 Safety: Census takers must wear a mask and maintain a distance of 6 feet
- Immigration and Citizenship Status: Census takers will not and cannot ask you about your immigration or citizenship status
If someone comes to your door as a Census taker and does not follow the guidelines above, please immediately report them to
rumors@census.gov and
community@sikhcoalition.org.
Potential Scams
As the Census Bureau is going door-to-door, it is more important than ever before to stay alert to potential scams. The Sikh Coalition has developed two short videos in English and Punjabi to discuss
Five Warnings on the 2020 Census: Fees, social security numbers, citizenship and immigration, political views and questions, and identifying as Sikh.
Click here to watch Five Warnings on the 2020 Census in English
Click here to watch Five Warnings on the 2020 Census in Punjabi
Undercounting in Queens, New York
While Sikh Americans have traditionally been undercounted in the census--hence the strong push to count every Sikh American in 2020--the Census Bureau is currently estimating a significant undercounting of Sikh Americans living in Queens, New York. If you or someone you know is a current Queens resident, please make sure to complete the census and ask five friends and family members to do the same. You can also post about the census on your gurdwara Facebook page and share this message in your community WhatsApp groups.
Please note that you can still fill out the U.S. Census online at www.my2020census.gov today. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and your response will help the government determine where to spend $600 billion worth of resources, tell businesses where to invest, and properly allocate political representation. The more people who are counted, the greater voice their community has in our democracy!
If you have questions about the 2020 Census, be sure to email
community@sikhcoalition.org. You can also visit
our website to view our collection of census resources, including the comprehensive community FAQ.
In the coming weeks, the Sikh Coalition will continue to provide information pertaining to the 2020 Census and civic engagement. Please keep checking
our website for new information, and reach out to
gotv@sikhcoalition.org if you are willing to volunteer as a sevadaar and ensure that Sikh community members in your sangat turn out to vote in U.S. elections on November 3.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
