Did you swindle Uncle Sam? Are you an illegal immigrant from Mexico or Mars?
Not to worry’the U.S. Census doesn’t care.
‘It doesn’t matter if you’re cheating on your taxes, running form the law or if you’re an undocumented resident,? said Katherine Graham of Oakland County Planning and Development. ‘Your information is protected.?
Officials from Oakland County, as well as those in Orion Township, are working in partnership with the 2010 Census to help ensure the area is accurately represented.
Beginning later this month and into March, the U.S. Census Bureau will send 2010 census forms to every residence in the United States. Federal law requires participation by everyone living in the county.
‘If you don’t fill out the form, someone will come knocking on your door,? Graham said, explaining that once complied census data will help determine where some $400 billion in federal funds is allocated annually for schools, hospitals, senior centers and other community facilities and services.?
The Census form asks four general questions about the household:
‘If the housing unit is owned or rented?
‘Telephone number?
‘How many people live in the residence??
‘If any additional people who lived at the residence on April 1, 2010, were not included.
And for each household member, the questionnaire asks: ?????
‘Name???
‘Sex
‘Age/date of birth
‘Relationship to the person who owns or rents this residence
‘Hispanic origin
‘Race
‘Does this person sometimes live or stay somewhere else.
By law the Census Bureau cannot share answers respondents provide with anyone or any other government agency, officials said.
Every Census Bureau employee has taken an oath to protect that information and is subject to a jail term of up to five years, a fine up to $250,000, or both if he or she discloses information that could identify a respondent or household. ??
For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov