Ariz. immigration law makes Census count tougher

Ariz. immigration law makes Census count tougher
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

RIO RICO, Ariz. — About 70 parents usually attend monthly parent-teacher meetings here at the Pena Blanca Elementary School. In April, at the last meeting of this school year, only 20 showed up.

"There is a little fear," says Sandra Figueroa, principal of this Santa Cruz County school 12 miles from the Mexican border.

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Whatever its future, the law could not have come at a worse time for the 2010 census. Many civic groups fear the law will discourage cooperation, jeopardizing the additional federal dollars and rising clout that can come with an increasing population.

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"Our communities are living in a very heightened state of anxiety," <Isabel Garcia, a lawyer and co-chair of Coalición de Derechos Humanos (Human Rights Coalition) in Tucson> said, citing low turnout at this year's Cinco de Mayo festival, a celebration of the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. "You can imagine us trying to convince people to fill out these forms and be truthful. They don't want to answer doors."

(Ed. to add more bold! (no cowbell))

Read More:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-05-24-census-workers-arizona_N.htm

From the story:

"The numbers are primarily used to assign seats in the House of Representatives to every state. Arizona, which has eight, stands to gain one after this year's Census. The count also serves as the basis for the annual distribution of $435 billion in federal aid."

Thus, SB1070 was a plot to screw over and shut down the US Census. :tinfoilhat:

But really, this is yet another reason besides racial profiling why SB1070 sucks balls.

They wanted to chase as many as possible out of the state (through deportation AND making the state an inhospitable place to be Hispanic). Those who stay without "papers" will naturally be fearful out in public and will limit their exposure. Even citizens and legal residents will feel the subtle intimidation of being harassed for THEIR papers. The message: "We don't want you here."