Census 2020 Kicks Off Across The RGV

Census 2020 Kicks Off Across The RGV
Photo, Jerry Galindo

For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is providing an official and secure website for people to complete their Census form through the internet. The census is done every ten years, playing as an important tool by the government to determine its total number of inhabitants and how they are displaced. The census helps decide how much funding is distributed to each city, as well as the number of representatives in Congress and State Legislature. 

Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau is advising its population to take advantage of the online census form, continuing social distancing and protecting their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Census Media Specialist, Dalilah Garcia says that your census information will be protected by the Constitution. 

We will not ask you for your bank account number, we will not ask you for your credit card number, we will not ask you for your social security number, we will not ask you if you are a U-S- citizen. The data we will collect is protected by Title XIII of the U-S- Constitution.

Garcia says some people have reported cases of being scammed or tricked by giving confidential information to fake census pages. Garcia says there is only one official website, which is 2020Census.gov. 

Electrical Engineering Freshman, Daniel Gallegos says that doing the census online will help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

In my opinion it is a very good decision to do the Census 2020 online, you know because in these days, you know that COVID-19 is practically everywhere. So, doing the census online will stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Census Bureau is also providing alternative forms of completing the form, such as mail and through phone calls. Regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the “Self Response Phase” was extended to August 14th. Nursing Sophomore, Jesus Reynua says he feels more comfortable doing the census at home. 

I feel more comfortable doing the census at home because I don’t have to risk my safety, I feel like many people feel like that.

For more information on how to participate in the census visit 2020Census.org.

Reporter Victor Rivero