U.S. 2020 CENSUS:  IT’S IMPORTANT TO SHAPE THE NEAR FUTURE FOR SIKHS IN THE UNITED STATES!

September 21, 2020

New York, New York

UNITED SIKHS and other civil rights organizations have been urging all Americans to fill out the Census. Thanks to the advocacy of at least 61 Sikh organizations, as of this year, Sikhs can be counted as “Sikhs” in order to ensure that the needs of the community are heard by their political representatives in the United States and the community has the opportunity to get the funding for the services it needs. However, while civil rights advocates and government officials have urged people of all creeds, races, nationalities and genders to respond timely to the Census, regardless of their citizenship status, as of August 2020, only 64% of households have done so.

The historic announcement that the Census form would allow a space to write in “Sikh” and that the Census would count Sikhs under a separate code was the result of years of advocacy at the national level on behalf of the Sikh community. By creating a Petition to Correctly Count Sikhs in the 2010 Census Submitted by the Sikh Community of the United States of America in 2010, UNITED SIKHS started advocating with the United States government for a measure that would recognize the Sikh community in the U.S. The petition was signed by at least 60 civil rights not-for-profits, student associations, gurdwaras and religious organizations. The petition requested a count of Sikhs in the U.S. Census, which documents the population of the U.S. only. It received overwhelming support from the Sikh community in the United States, clearly establishing the solidarity of the community in its desire to be counted correctly by the Census Bureau.

“It took decades of advocacy by UNITED SIKHS and at least 60 other Sikh organizations in the United States to get this chance to make themselves count as “Sikh” in the Census. Sikhs need to respond and be counted in the 2020 Census to ensure that something is done to protect them from hate crimes and bullying in schools and to ensure that schools and other community services are adequately funded,” states Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS International Humanitarian Aid Director.

“Very few opportunities are as publicized or as beneficial to a community that needs funding than the 2020 Census is for the Sikh community and other underrepresented communities of color. There really is no downside to completing the Census for each family and household. It is absolutely confidential and the courts have stated that all persons, regardless of citizenship status, and can complete the form. There is nothing to fear and yet a lot that can be lost if the 35% of households that have not yet completed the Census do not do so by the September 30, 2020 deadline,” states Wanda Sanchez Day, UNITED SIKHS National Legal Director.

According to the Census, filling out the 2020 questionnaire is quick and easy!

In order to Get  Started: Click Here 

• You must complete your questionnaire once you begin. If you leave the questionnaire and return later, you will have to start over.
• Do not use the web browser buttons (back, forward, or close browser). Use the buttons within the questionnaire to navigate.
• For best results, use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari. Enable cookies.
• You will need the 12-digit Census ID found in the materials mailed to you or left at your door.

UNITED SIKHS urges all members of the community to mail, pick up the telephone or get behind the computer and answer the Census today.  You can also complete the Census by speaking to the Census takers who come to your door.  Be sure to request ID and to ensure you and they take measures against the spread of COVID-19 by using a mask, adhering to the 6 ft. distancing recommendation and other precautions.  For what to expect, see https://2020census.gov/en/census-takers.html.

To learn more about the 2020 U.S. Census, please visit the United States Census 2020.

If you need help or have questions, please reach out to UNITED SIKHS Census Support at census@unitedsikhs.org and or law-usa@unitedsikhs.org.

Issued by:
Gundeep Singh
UNITED SIKHS, Media Coordinator