The states need to reassert their rights back from the federal government. Should all of us contact our local media so that everyone knows about ACS? I put up with some minor harassment and then after a few weeks it stopped. It's an invasion of privacy. I like the idea of video taping them and guess I will charge up the old video camera. He is a senior in high school and just finished studying the history of communism. This is such an invasion of privacy. It's paranoid people like you all who cause your communities not to get the funding they need. Pericles, 460BC. Although no reports have surfaced of individuals actually being penalized for refusing to answer the survey, the potential fines that can be levied for refusing to participate in the ACS are staggering. I again said no. A: The law requiring answers to the ACS also provides that a person who fails to answer shall be fined not more than $100.[32] The actual fine for a refusal to complete the ACS could be much greater because a failure to respond to certain ACS questions could be considered a separate offense subject to the $100 fine. why are they taking polls for illegals? If anyone would love to start a case action in this matter feel free to get a hold of me. Estimates: 1-Year. I am a retired airline captain and a former captain in the U.S.A.F. We have been approached numerous times on our property, been left threatening letters and messages on our answering machine, and there seems to be no end to it. I say the heck with Big Brother, ours is going in the garbage, and I'm no longer answering their calls (love caller ID)! Outraged in Maryland. I mentioned to a reporter for the newspaper the similarity between our government today and Hitler and he said some not so nice things to me. Explore census data with visualizations and view tutorials. We just got the letter today, to expect the questionnaire. 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. This survey is intrusive and i will not answer it! A: According to one report published in early 2014, the government has not prosecuted anyone for refusing to respond to the ACS. This was way out of line and uncalled for! Then I received the long form, ignored it and received another long form which I also ignored. I have contacted the media (Fox News), but no one seems to be covering this. Statistical analysis Enough is enough and get real. This is all bull. How about the number of cars that are normally in your driveway if everyone is home? When a citizen does not answer the ACS within 30 days, a second ACS form is automatically mailed. In this workshop, you will find out how important the American Community Survey is for the nonprofit community and the unique ways nonprofits can use ACS data. The census is unconstitutional - read the enumerations - and the amendments already cited. From the American Community Survey and your tax dollars at work. Wow. PDF In Defense of The American Community Survey Michael Lewyn They're people just like you are, Americans just like you are. I told her again that I already gave the required info by law and there is no reason to give all that other information. 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. Way too much info requested (stuff I wouldn't tell my friends, let alone the government!!) These vermin can pound sand. The bad thing is, this is information that is collected by the government. American Community Survey questionnaire. So give them a call or send an e-mail and see if someone there can help stop the phone calls. Although an intrusive visit would make my blood boil, I would suggest a similar strategy for visits if possible. If, as you say, all of this info can be found online already, then get it online, without my help. You would have done well in the SS. Remember Germany. We do not have to fear picking up the phone or answering our door. I first starting receiving these things by mail like 4 years ago. When I got to the financial questions I thought - what?? But I will not tell you when I leave for work and about the medical condition of my relatives. I needed to read this! After giving it some thought, I felt compromised by the invasive questions asked, and decided that my right to privacy was surely being violated. Me and my family were properly counted on census day 2010. Are Black Americans being locked out of the American dream of Most U.S. representatives have local offices. Will these jackasses really come after me or is all this talk about fines and such just a scare tactic? how much to start our businesses etc. She then stated that she has not talked to the supervisor. Before commenting, please review our comment policy. I am so glad to see I am not alone in not wanting to fill out this survey. Many Supreme Court cases revolve around the privacy that a legal US citizen has and honestly, how the Census Bureau thinks that these would even be accurate answers is a joke! This tool helps you do just that. I've been through one round of the no-response ordeal back in '08 and everything turned out just fine. He harassed her a little and had fun with it and she was on her way. Get over yourselves. Person 18a. Please meet, call write your congressperson to recommend that they sign on to this legislation, and get rid of this ridiculous intrusion of government into your private and personal affairs. However, the ACS wants to know what time my husband and I leave for work each day, our employer's address, our work location address (if different from our employer's) and if we commute via car, carpool or public transportation. A Woodsboro couple is refusing to respond to a U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, saying the federal government's questionnaire is too invasive. 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. I don't mind giving my name, the name of my spouse, children, ages and occupations but that is it. I also refused the deputy entrance for the purpose of a census and said that I wished them both to leave as I would not comply. During dinner a census worker shows up. I shall be contacting my Senator and Congressman to voice my alarm and concern on another gross infringement of my Civil Liberties. I want to put it in the woodstove and make my house a fortress. I refused to answer these as these are not required. I refused entry into my home. That's when I lost my patience and said "Look pal, you're here to count people right. But my favorite is if anyone in my house has difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions, or difficulty dressing or bathing. He didn't know what to think about that (needed to check the law), and took no action. But remember some of these folks have children to feed, too. What they dont tell you is that the information is available to a long list of private corporation, research agencies and think tanks, who use the information to justify and pursue their own agendas. I have no problem with telling folks how many people, even our ages and nationalities. Here's how you know ( Data.census.gov will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance from 6am to 10am EST on Saturday, 3/4/2023. and inviting me to contact them if I had any concerns. But please do not chastise me for maintaining my personal and family privacy and refusing to respond to an unconstitutional intrusion into my personal affairs. [1] The Rutherford Institute, a national nonprofit civil liberties organization, is deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people through its extensive legal and educational programs. What we have here is a violation of HIPAA. I will give the information to those who really need it to improve my neighborhood, city, county, etc. If you read and listen to them carefully they actually say that it's mandatory and you could be fined. There are friends who ask me if I want to put up with the harassment from the government -wouldn't it be easier to just give in and give the information to them? Now the latest. We had a census worker come to our door who started asking personal questions, until my hubby finally said that's enough. While there is no specific wording in the Bill of Rights regarding the rights of privacy. I love my country and I'm proud to be an American. I filed my taxes, all the information they feel they need to know is there. Just remember that most of these people are decent people who need money to eat just like the rest of us, especially in these hard times. 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! We are so far from what our forefathers prayerfully constructed as a government that it will take a real miracle from heaven for a national revival now. About one week later, I was ready to mail in my form. Browse our topics and subtopics to find information and data. No one I have talked to since I received this survey has known anything about it. [18] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/MortgageSMOC.pdf. My paper shredder has been complaining of hunger, so I'm going to feed the "survey" to it when I receive it in the mail next week. The new research by the Trevor Project, which surveyed nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 24 across the United States in fall 2021, also found that Black and nonbinary young people reported . I do not think I should have to give out that kind of information. Wrong. The Census Bureau would have to refer a case to the Dept of Justice, they have no power of their own. Richard Pan - Senior Policy Advisor - AAPI Data | LinkedIn Now whenever we come home, Ms. Nosy Neighbor calls a different census worker who hurries over and tries to get us to answer the door. As a result, they are subject to monetary fines for doing nothing more than keeping the private details of their lives private.. It's a breath of fresh air. I plan on turning over any fines or issues to these attorneys I know and I have used them before. At this point, according to the Census Bureau, a non-respondent has a 21% chance of being personally visited by a survey taker. Washington and California residents have filed a class action in which they object to being asked to participate in the American Community Survey. Non parlo inglese!" I noticed that if I left the note on the door, they would sometimes pull up, then just drive off. Recipients of the American Community Survey are told several times that the information given is necessary for the operation of our government, is very secure and is kept private. Let's see how much they like it. I answered nothing else and therefore did not lie on a government form. When are they going to get the hint and stop? What is the ACS (American Community Survey)? she wouldnt tell him who she was and kept insisting to come in. My 89 year old mother was scared out of her wits after answering some questions, thinking she gave too much information and didn't even know who they were. Parent/Community Survey and Employee Feedback Opportunity Ignore any paperwork they send you, hang up if they call you, demand they leave your property if they come to your home. They have done a great job keeping businesses from behaving unethically, unsafely, and preventing them from attaining wealth at the cost of human life - whether from unfair wages and industrial practices or from the mass-physiological effects (brainwashing) of citizens from the huge-budget video/audio buy-buy-buy television addiction machine, or from the shortening of each human life and the human race entirely that is the natural result of reallocating, changing, destroying natural resources to produce worthless tidbits of crap (no matter how "convenient or interesting or entertaining it may seem in the end it is crap and it won't make you happy or more lovable or life more simple or whatever their marketing department's angle is -- it is just crap that is killing all of us and wasting all those workers' lives). Good grief! I am an american citizen and i will not be forced to give my personal information! They left before they arrived. [11] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/Computer.pdf. We need to take our country back. Overall, the lawsuit says that [n]othing in these statutes gives Defendants the authority to compel Plaintiffs to speak when Plaintiffs invoke their First Amendment right to refrain from speaking by refusing to answer the American Community Survey.. By phone. and these so called representatives. Moreover, since there are no reported instances of the Census Bureau taking legal or financial action, some speculate that the Census Bureau's threats carry no weight. Our town boasts 90,000 citizens, but we know there are at least an additional 10,000 illegals here (yes, here in Mexifornia). So when/if I get a visit, I can inform them of this. all the government tries to say if they want you to do something is say "its the law" thinking people will run and do what they say. Originally, I sent in the census form for the property stating zero occupants, then was called by a Census worker. I've worn a uniform to serve my country and, apparently, most of you feel as I do. I am not saying that the US government would or could ever go to this extreme but, for the purposes of garnering ever more political power and authority over the citizenry, I have no illusions about how far this government will go. This survey is one of only a few 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!!! We aren't answering these questions for anyone unless they show up and arrest me and a judge makes me do it in court. 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. So, my husband filled it out with the lady standing at my front door. I hung up immediately and called the sheriff. About the American Community Survey I will not comply. They bring in all additional people running up monies needed for schools, social programs. Life is too short to be so mad about insignificant things. I was willing to answer the survey at first - thinking it would just be a headcount but then I saw the rest of the questions. Your name, address and phone number (front cover of the ACS), 2. To support any of this is not like killing, it is killing your neighbor, your dog, your wife, your kids and your kids' kids - maybe slowly and with pretty lights and shiny trinkets, but it is. [It does not appear that Census is proposing any changes to the ACS instrument.] Poster 209: I believe that it is better to clearly refuse up front. NO ONE EVER GETS IN TROUBLE for refusing to answer. I told her I wasn't calling anybody. Why would anyone want to "help the government function" (interfere in our private lives)? The law does not say you have to answer their questions (so don't). That seems to be the end of it, but only time will tell. This warning is clearly stated on the ACS envelope, and the form itself threatens a fine for people who refuse or willfully neglect to complete the survey. Just slam the phone or door on them. Yet, he also said that the American Community Survey is continuing. This is way too intrusive. 'Useful' Idiots and the American Community Survey Never give any phone numbers (tell them you don't have a phone and your employer forbids giving out the company cellular phone number). And no one can say with a high degree of certainty whether the virus was the result of . (Don't worry there are no cops or former cops that are census workers. After reading through the 28 pages of questions the second time (not 28 questions but 28 *pages* of them), I decided to do my research. Each plaintiff claims to have been visited by Census Bureau agents and informed that their response to the American Community Survey is required by law. I was out in my yard and she was yelling at me from a distance. The American Community Survey (ACS), conducted continuously since the early 2000s, is an ongoing survey of just a portion of the population. Of course, I had no clothes on, not expecting a peeping tom to be looking out of the woods in the first place. That's four times today and it's just past noon on Saturday. Of course I had, but she got snotty like I was lying and said we would have to fill it out over again right-here-right-now. I have received two forms, and have no intention of responding. I set it aside. They want me to call an 800 number to give them my personal info. 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. And you just know that if I answer a survey about college, they will just send me another next year and keep tracking me. When we do the ACS on the phone, we do not ask for your SS #, we do not ask how many times you go to the bathroom. 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. My advice based on our experience thus far -- and I am not a lawyer -- just ignore the calls to the best of your ability, and if you answer by accident, simply hang up without conversation. He came to my door anyway. These people are trying to "do their jobs", but there are better ways to make a living, one that doesn't help enslave Americans even further with more "government help" and ultimately, taxation. To posters 190 and 191: Thank you for your input and advice. We sent in the form with the number of people, then called the girl who left a note on our door. Then two weeks later a reminder to fill it out. These questions clearly violate any privacy guaranteed to me by the US Constitution and over step the Census Bureaus authority. If the enumerators cannot get this info from the Social Security Administration or the local state tax boards then there must be a reason why not! I live in the ghetto already. in preparation for the day this country is taken over by the European Union or China. It is community based, and an effort to get away from the biased media to get the truth from people in the area it applies. Just got my second second ACS survey in the last three years. When I said I would not be probed by his questions from the government and continued by saying that I meant no disrespect to him; however, I hate what the government is trying to do to us he responded. Over half of NYC firefighters would refuse COVID-19 vaccine, survey Oh wait, we have a socialist leader now. The virus was not developed as a biological weapon, and it probably wasn't genetically engineered. That this money is funding from the government, which makes it socialism. 20 The breakdown by race/ethnicity for individuals who received the vaccine was 39% for Black HCWs, 44% for Hispanic HCWs, and 57% for White HCWs. The Census Bureau provides guidelines that prevent harassment or late night calls, although some ACS recipients have complained of getting several calls a day. Maybe they should change the name of the survey to "American Communist Survey". [29] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/Name.pdf. I am a prisoner in my own home. I've been in some pretty terrifying situations and I don't scare that easily. And if there isn't a law protecting these rights, then we need someone to make it happen! Do I Have to Respond to the ACS? - United States Now This questionnaire id just too personal and invasive of ones rights as a citizen in any country, let alone (supposedly) "The Land of the Free and The Brave" did Cheney, Bush, McCain, Obama fill one out? In three weeks they should mail me a duplicate form. Soundbar sold separately. 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. However, I am sure I will get another one. When I mentioned the threat of a fine to the last caller she seemed horrified that I would accuse her of that and went out of the way to state that she didn't bring it up. At the moment, I am pretty furious with the current political band of thieves and third world dictators "wannabes" in power. If a citizen doesn't comply with the ACS after a period of weeks, Census Bureau guidelines instruct enumerators to stop calling the resident. After four or five visits with three notices taped to the door over two weeks, they seem to have given up. I am a patriot. Q: Are you required by law to fully complete the American Community Survey? 2018] IN DEFENSE OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 113 surveys.18 After the 2000 Census, the Bureau chose to eliminate the long form and use a yearly survey instead.19 In 2006, the Bureau fully implemented the ACS throughout the United States.20 The ACS is now conducted yearly, and includes much of the same data requested by the 2000 long form.21 In . However, we will make it quite clear we will accept the risk and continue to take this stand. In 2000 I refused to fill mine out. We're starved after working all day on our house renovation. this is the letter I sent the census bureau. Call your senators and congressman now and lets get these commie creeps out of our lives and off our backs. [36] Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 498 (1983). 1. I was hot and told her I have her number and I will call when I'm ready. I do not want to complete the American Community Survey, but I - Avvo Subscribe to our newsletter and learn something new every day. You will not be fined. i respect my government and i am proud to be an american, but since when is it any of their business if i have a hot water heater or how far i travel to work? I gave them my name and not much more. You can find no instance of someone being 'required' to respond, or being fined for not doing so. But not allthat other information. 1388. When you are counted, it helps to decide the number of representatives a state can get, as well as determining federal funding for schools and hospitals.