My friend was visited by the Census Bureau. He was told that he'd be arrested if he refused to take the census. Can someone explain how this isn't a violation of our civil liberties?
2007-02-20 01:12:59 · 10 answers · asked by Ray 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Forgot to mention: The gentleman provided credentials and documents proving that he was with the Census Bureau.
2007-02-20 03:29:33 · update #1
The Census Bureau has the legal right to gather data on each and every individual residing within the US on a period basis. By law, everyone has to furnish data on himself, his family, etc. or face the consequences. This information is kept private, by statue, usually for 70 yrs. before it can be release to the general public such as any genealogists or any other non-government personnel with a non-official reason to view the personal identifying information. In other words, by the time the information in released from a census year, most of the people listed on that census year are deceased. Very few of them are still living. This is done as a way of protecting your privacy.
If you object to this, feel free to notify your local representatives or other legal authorities. We still have freedom of speech and due process of law here.
2007-02-20 02:06:36 · answer #1 · answered by Ariel 128 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it IS a violation of law not to participate in the census, since this is in our constitution and part of American law. By law, everyone must participate. The penalty for not participating, however, is not prison time. When I was doing the census in 2000 I believe the penalty was a $500 fine and so many hrs of community service. I have never heard of this being enforced though. It is usually just used as coercion to get people to participate. After several attempts for getting the info, a census taker can estimate the number of people in a house based on homes in that neighborhood. They do not estimate race, age, gender etc. but the number of people in an area is very important to get correct.
I find it very hard to believe that someone from the federal gov't arrested your friend, considering it is 7 years past the last census, but I would be VERY concerned about this. Many people around census time will use the opportunity to get their way into someones home to rob or harm them. I would definitely have your friend call the FBI and local police about this matter.
2007-02-20 09:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by Matt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No One has EVER been arrested OR fined for not participation in the US Census. The ONLY THING they absolutely MUST know is how many people are livng at any one address. This information IS available on the US CENSUS website. I will NEVER participate in their dredging of extremely personal and over reaching questioning. EVER. NOTHING is safe. There is NO LAW that states you MUST divulge your every information. This is also available on their own website. There are NO consequences. I have offered myself up for arrest SEVERAL times... the only thing they do is walk away, because there is no law that says you will be arrested. its another scare tactic provided courtesy of the US government. I HAVE done my research, because I REFUSE to answer. THERE ARE NO LAWS STATING YOU WILL BE ARRESTED OR FINED.... ITS IN THEIR OWN INFORMATION!!!
2014-02-06 22:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last census was taken in 2000, the Census Bureau wouldn't be bothering him now They were probably con-artists and it was smart of him not to give out any info..
2007-02-20 09:20:33 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Pibb 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Census Bureau conducts an annual Community Survey. Participation is required by law.
http://ask.census.gov/cgi-bin/askcensus.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=642&p_created=1093522639&p_sid=ak7A8Jui&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTQ4JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1jb21tdW5pdHkgc3VydmV5&p_li=&p_topview=1
Is it a violation of our civil liberties? If you think it is, get the ACLU to fight it.
2007-02-20 09:24:34 · answer #5 · answered by retired military wife 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously the census taker was a yutz..
You can not be arrested for not answering the questions, however, just remember, the census, while being a nosey bunch of questions, is also how the gov't, (who's ALWAYS here to 'help' you, (tongue firmly in cheek,)) discovers where they are going to have to spend more money because populations have grown or decreased, so, answering is more beneficial than not.
I don't agree with their nosey ways, but, that's the way it will be till people stop voting for the republicrats and run them out and put in Libertarians, who will opt for less spending, and more personal involvement. PS, we Libertarians are toning down the 'crazy' rhetoric, with platform reform, check it out at www.lp.org
2007-02-20 09:23:48 · answer #6 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
To the best of my knowledge, there is no law requiring US citizens to provide information to census takers.
Just don't answer the door!
Additon: Wow, looks like maybe you do need to participate! Love this YA forum, always learning something new :-)
2007-02-20 09:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by kja63 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When did this happen? You realize that the census is only taken every ten tears and they haven't really geared up for the next one yet. I suspect that your friend is either lying to you or is the victim of fraud.
2007-02-20 09:22:41 · answer #8 · answered by C B 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like some scammers just got your friends personal information and plan to nab cash from his bank accounts. Nice move!
2007-02-20 09:20:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't think they have the power............ they're feeding BS....
2007-02-20 09:20:07 · answer #10 · answered by mdlbldrmatt135 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋