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Residents, officials say fear of immigration enforcement hindered Census response; city stresses confidentiality
Summary
Telemundo Chicago reported officials believe warnings about immigration enforcement discouraged responses in some Aurora neighborhoods; officials tell residents census data are confidential and not shared with immigration authorities as the city prepares a special census.
Broadcast contributors said outreach to certain Aurora neighborhoods was hampered by fear that census workers’ visits could expose households to immigration enforcement. An agency official described community warnings to avoid answering the door because “puede ser ICE,” and linked that reluctance to lower response rates.
The program included an on-air assurance about confidentiality. An agency official said, “Su información es totalmente segura. El censo no puede compartir la información con otras agencias federales,” and the reporter added the reference to immigration. The broadcast urged residents in heavily Hispanic neighborhoods to participate, noting the special census will focus on new developments and areas where many residents did not respond in 2020.
The segment explained response options: fill the form online or wait for an enumerator to visit. Officials emphasized that participation is key to restoring accurate counts and access to population-based funding and services.
