Latinos bank on bilingual census form to aid count

Immigrants are often afraid to fill out the census form. Maybe receiving bilingual forms will make them feel a bit better and make it easier for them too. - - Donna Poisl

By AMY TAXIN

LONG BEACH, Calif. — When Teresa Ocampo opens her census questionnaire, she won't have to worry about navigating another document in English.

The 40-year old housewife who only speaks basic English will be able to fill hers out in Spanish — which is exactly what U.S. officials were banking on when they decided to mail out millions of bilingual questionnaires next year.

For the first time, the decennial census will be distributed in the two languages to 13.5 million households in predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods. Latino advocates hope the forms will lead to a more accurate count by winning over the trust of immigrants who are often wary of government and may be even more fearful after the recent surge in immigration raids and deportations.
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