Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
Thousands of census workers, including many temporary employees, are fanning out across America to gather information on the citizenry. This is a process that takes place not only every decade in order to complete the constitutionally-mandated census; but also as part of the continuing “American Community Survey” conducted by the Census Bureau on a regular basis year in and year out.
What many Americans don’t realize, is that census workers — from the head of the Bureau and the Secretary of Commerce (its parent agency) down to the lowliest and newest Census employee — are empowered under federal law to actually demand access to any apartment or any other type of home or room that is rented out, in order to count persons in the abode and for “the collection of statistics.” If the landlord of such apartment or other leased premises refuses to grant the government worker access to your living quarters, whether you are present or not, the landlord can be fined $500.00.
That’s right — not only can citizens be fined if they fail to answer the increasingly intrusive questions asked of them by the federal government under the guise of simply counting the number of people in the country; but a landlord must give them access to your apartment whether you’re there or not, in order to gather whatever “statistics” the law permits.
In fact, some census workers apparently are going even further and demanding — and receiving — private cell phone numbers from landlords in order to call tenants and obtain information from them. Isn’t it great to live in a “free” country?
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1,749 comments Add your comment
Linda
May 28th, 2010
9:25 pm
They make it up in order to keep the population afraid.
Gary Wise
May 28th, 2010
9:26 pm
With all athe Americans who have guns these days, and the high crime rate of burglary, I would advise anyone not try this tack or you may no longer be taking a census!
Linda
May 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
“Common Sense”, show me where our census-takers’ government supervisors are going door to door barging into people’s houses, or training us census-takers to do that.
Or stfu. YOU refuse to know what you’re talking about.
Linda
May 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
Newsflash, Gary: We’re NOT doing that.
Jennifer
May 28th, 2010
9:34 pm
Well, I work for the census. And NO WE CANNOT ENTER YOUR HOME! We may step inside the door if you ask or invite, but if a census worker is walking thru your house call the census office, they will get fired. Seriously, enumerators cannot just go into your home. Especially if you are not home, our government is crazy but not that insane! If we keep not getting a response, we will ask neighbors for info on you. Then after 6 x we are told ( hasn’t happened to my group of people yet) that we then go to the home with a federal marshall, to get as much info as possible, minimum being number of people in house hold and a name and number… we ask for a phone number, because of quality control. People in the offices call random homes and ask to make sure the enumerator showed their badge, gave them a confidentiality statement etc.
GollyImScared
May 28th, 2010
9:48 pm
The government is training a new generation of census workers. They are large black men, with beards, who were trained in Iran. Their goal is to count only the number of gay, Islamic men and triple their numbers so that Ahmadinejad will become our new leader! He will take your guns and force you to eat dogs until you give up your infidel beliefs. All people will be happy socialists. IT IS COMING!! BE READY!!!
Linda
May 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
Shhhhh! Don’t ruin the plan …
Johnnyroten
May 28th, 2010
9:58 pm
Know your rights, stand strong. The only information they are going to get is how many people live here. To demand anything else will bring lawsuits threatening the $14 billion budget they waste
Linda
May 28th, 2010
10:01 pm
Ooooh, that’s bold, Johnny! What a maverick you are!
Cheryl Merrill
May 28th, 2010
10:04 pm
Mr. Barr has proven he is not a credible source of information and not a real journalist. He should retire or be terminated for spreading fear and misinformation. He should be barred from this media outlet.
Linda
May 28th, 2010
10:05 pm
But, Cheryl, that’s what Republicans and their media outlets do best. Their power wouldn’t exist without fear.
Rational Person
May 28th, 2010
10:05 pm
It took a day or two, but Factcheck.org now debunks this one at http://factcheck.org/2010/05/more-census-nonsense/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
It’s under the heading “Bob Barr’s Bunk.”
Buzzy Whitlow
May 28th, 2010
10:07 pm
Oh contraire, my friends! I am working for the census, and we were instructed NOT to go into people’s houses. And this census is not “increasingly intrusive”. This census asks far fewer questions than usual–I am also a genealogist and have researched every census since 1790. And, unlike bailouts of private businesses, health care “reform”, and the like, this IS a Constitutionally mandated use of taxpayer money! Fear not, my fellow Americans.
US Patriot
May 28th, 2010
10:12 pm
To Freaked out…I SAID it is a matter of respect…I believe ALL rights come with those simple responsibilities. You are the epitome of lack thereof. You don’t understand the meaning of the concept it appears.
Fr. Seamus O'Toole
May 28th, 2010
10:16 pm
Linda, Linda, Linda…please don’t be such a pest. You really should talk to a spiritual director about your outrageous lies.
Again, no one has said the Census bureaucrats are currently kickin in your door and ransacking your place, just that the Obama administration has silently changed US Codes to allow indiscriminate entry, at-will, to private residences, businesses and churches.
Linda, and all the other atheist/socialist/leftwing/union-thug dupes need to stop their lies, and admit that this current White House is rapidly eroding all privacy.
Pound Caker
May 28th, 2010
10:21 pm
I am a proud Census worker and I say that these are all right wing hater lies. We are strictly forbidden from entering the homes of working Americans. I got my training manual and it says we can’t, so there.
I wish you haters wuld get an education (at least a GDE like me) and stop with you hatred of America and the commander-n-chief. He is our leader, and any dissent is plain unpatriotic.
Hunh?
May 28th, 2010
10:23 pm
Who are the thug dupes? I haven’t heard anyone other than the right wingers threatening murder. Oh, yeah, that’s right, if anyone stands outside my door that I think is from the government, I have a right to blow them away, so it isn’t murder is it? You should really try to see people as people, you might have your mind opened.
Mike Adams
May 28th, 2010
10:30 pm
Yeah, Right Bob. The folks who are sucking this disinformation up are the ones who shorted out their Census Bureau microchips by sticking their heads in their microwave ovens…, as you recommended.
Linda
May 28th, 2010
10:36 pm
Yeah, these big “tough guys” will sic their dogs on us or shoot us because they’re shaking in their boots somebody might find out their birthday, or whether they own or rent their place. Ooooooh, scary!
Luckily, in my time as a census-taker, I’ve never run into this bizarre mentality–folks in my city are pretty enlightened. Mostly, when they answer the door and find out I’m not selling something, they’re relieved and answer my questions. Very friendly. Had a few people refuse to answer a few questions, but nobody got ugly like the “tough guys” here on this page. Perhaps it’s easier to pound your chests in the anonymity of the web.
Elana
May 28th, 2010
10:58 pm
This is BS. I work for the census, and this entire article is complete and utter BS. I cannot enter anybody’s house. I cannot even presume anything about a resident. I have to ask and you don’t want to tell me, no secret agents will drop from the sky. In any case it’s in everyone’s best interest to reply to the census because it actually helps allocate money for your community.
BH
May 28th, 2010
11:01 pm
Then they ought to be shot on sight…enough said…overpaid lazy welfare blacks
mike
May 28th, 2010
11:16 pm
my excuse will be i was sleeping,and was woken up by strange noises,,and started shooting!
Harold Wiseman
May 28th, 2010
11:36 pm
Having read through the array of responses here, I couldn’t help but notice how many a trolling census-taker waited for the prevailing winds to shift in their favor before weighing in, like the cowardly bullies they are. Two on one is census-taker fun – they cannot stand on their own. They push their perceived weight around only at the behest of a draconian administration who they sense growing stronger.
Strip away his “government” and watch that census bully wither on the vine like the shriveled up excuse for a human he is.
Connie
May 28th, 2010
11:52 pm
Bob Barr is spreading misinformation on his blog. ACORN, is not running the Census. All of you people who sound so fierce with your 120 pound dog are showing your ignorance. IF you fill in all of the questions on the form and mail it back in, you will not get a visit from an Enumerator. If you skip a question then they will try to contact you, but NOT enter your home. I have been invitied to come in, or step inside which I REFUSE to do just to protect myself and the resident.
These questions are not intrusive, look up some of the questions in the past. Each question is designed for a specific purpose, and NOT some governament conspiracy.
csa
May 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Josh from Renton, WA
May 29th, 2010
12:13 am
There are alot of morons on this blog commenting. The census is used not only to calculate the number of representatives but also to figure out how Federal funding is dispersed. IF you don’t care about having paved roads to drive on, hospitals that you can go to for help when you are dying and such, then I support your wish to not participate in the census. I won’t mind if you are not counted because that means there will be more funding for my community where people want to be counted and less Federal money going towards paranoid idiots. Red state lunatic morons always wanting to have their cake and eat it too…. blah blah blah i don’t want to pay taxes and the Federal gov sucks but I want them to wipe my ass when I need it…
GrimFandango
May 29th, 2010
12:14 am
The government, through the vast array of data collection sources combined into massive searchable databases, already know every intimate detail about you and your family, down to your color choice in toilet paper, and your frequency of its use.
The intrusive questions, and the threats of punishment for those that do not comply, are just a reminder to all of us of who is the boss.
GrimFandango
May 29th, 2010
12:19 am
As far as helping the government allocate money to my community, I would prefer that they keep their hands off everyone’s money in the first place, and stop the unconstitutional and socialist wealth redistribution scam.
CalBob
May 29th, 2010
12:20 am
As I remember the law, if the person living in a rental property agrees to talking to a census worker, the landlord must comply….I was chased off in a similar situation in 2000 census, and the powers that be refused to even contact the chaser, let alone hit him with a fine.
Josh from Renton, WA
May 29th, 2010
12:24 am
If you don’t think my previous statements are true, check this factoid:
Blue states pay more money to the Federal government in taxes YET red states willingly take the most handouts.
States Receiving Most in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:
1. D.C. ($6.17)
2. North Dakota ($2.03) RED
3. New Mexico ($1.89)
4. Mississippi ($1.84) RED
5. Alaska ($1.82) RED
6. West Virginia ($1.74) RED
7. Montana ($1.64) RED
8. Alabama ($1.61) RED
9. South Dakota ($1.59) RED
10. Arkansas ($1.53) RED
These right wing hypocritical moochers are the same morons on this blog that do not want to pay taxes or participate in the census BUT WANT TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/92.html
Linda
May 29th, 2010
12:26 am
Sorry, Harold, but it’s the anti-government conspiracy theorists who are the cowardly bullies. To some of you folks, it apparently looks mighty scary to be approached by another human being with a clipboard and a pencil. But don’t be afraid, those pencils usually aren’t even that sharp and we only use them to make little x’s in boxes and stuff. I promise I’m not going to break into your house and attack you with one.
Perhaps if we brought along teddy bears or a little tea to share, we could help calm some of the irrational fear, as the facts don’t seem to be sinking in.
will
May 29th, 2010
12:31 am
Breaking and entering reaps lead around my neighborhood
Linda
May 29th, 2010
12:34 am
Good news, Will: We’re not breaking and entering.
Reader
May 29th, 2010
12:35 am
I don’t believe this for a second. Show me the “law” where they can enter into your apartment. When the census worker showed up here, I showed him off my property. They came back a second time a month later, I did the same and told him to leave. The next time he shows up, I’ll repeat this process until hell freezes over. Not one American has EVER been fined for not complying with the Census. I categorically REFUSE to assist our government enumerate me or anyone else and they can fine me until hell freeze over (but won’t, this is an empty threat).
Linda
May 29th, 2010
12:35 am
GrimFandango, there’s been a serious redistribution of wealth for years and it keeps accelerating. It’s been rolling UPHILL by leaps and bounds.
Knot So
May 29th, 2010
12:37 am
I have quit paying any attention to both Red State and Blue State dimwit crap. Some individuals on both sides are relatively sane but collectively they are morons with little difference between them. Some are red and some are blue and this is predominately the main difference. Very few of them can refuse a meal of pork. NRFU enumerators are the lowest rank of all Federal employees and I am sure there are a few bad apples who do a poor job. But they are for the most part doing a good job even with the likes of some of the nutcases who have commented here with a belligerent overly aggressive stance about 10 little questions.
Linda
May 29th, 2010
12:44 am
CalBob, I would HOPE the bureau would back me up if a landlord tried to interfere with a tenant’s compliance with the census. Did they not help you with this?
bill cartwright
May 29th, 2010
12:49 am
what happened to the 4th Amendment to The Constitution? it clearly states: “The right of the people to be secure in their houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” isn’t an apartment not a home? how is it that the census has gotten so powerful?
Linda
May 29th, 2010
12:57 am
bill, maybe you haven’t been here long enough to know that Bob’s lying in this article. Here’s what FACTCHECK has to say:
http://factcheck.org/2010/05/more-census-nonsense
Common Sense
May 29th, 2010
1:08 am
Just put up a “no trespassing” sign and enforce the existing law by detaining (citizens arrest – call the police immediately) anyone who does not have a legal right to be on your private property (also, verbally warn them – listen to their response and let them make a choice). Unlike police, fire, EMT, meter readers, mailmen, etc. on OFFICIAL business, I do not believe temporary hires like census workers have the same legal right to ignore state law for the purpose of a simple count. “No trespassing” signs also work great for unwanted Jehovah Witnesses, door-to-door salesmen, etc.
TXGrrl
May 29th, 2010
1:14 am
Just wanted to clear up some of the untruths and distortions I’ve heard about the Census. I worked as an enumerator for the Census in 2006, just bcuz I wanted to find out what the gov’t was up to. First of all, entering someone’s house or apt is a big safety issue, and our trainer specifically told us NOT to, even though most ppl have enough common sense to understand that. If it was an apt bldg and we were unable to get data for some apts, we were instructed that we can contact the complex office for basic info (if the residence is vacant or occupied, number of tenants on the lease & their names). We were NEVER told to ask complex employees for the tenants’ phone numbers. Although, when I knocked on some ppl’s doors and they said it was a bad time, I asked if I should come back another time or if they would prefer I call them. They almost always volunteered their phone number, bcuz it was summer in TX and nobody wants to let all their cool air out the door while they answer Census questions. Apartment communities sharing telephone numbers of their tenants are being very careless with their personal info. I personally don’t find any of the questions on the Census invasive, but if someone an enumerator is interviewing chooses not to answer a certain question, the enumerator can always mark their response to the question as REFUSED TO ANSWER. A few unanswered questions doesn’t make the questionaire any less valid. That being said, I still don’t understand the importance of GPS coordinates. If a particular address didn’t have coordinates recorded for it, we were told to use a device that we were provided to collect the coordinates while we were at that address. I don’t think it has a darn thing to do with maps, cuz they’ve been sending out enumerators before that kind of technology existed.
KAREN CARPENTER
May 29th, 2010
1:30 am
We had a visit from a nice older gentleman. I told him 2 people nationality AMERICAN he smiled then sat in his truck then finally left.
Cargosquid
May 29th, 2010
1:37 am
By the way, if this law that Barr is misinterpreting, is such a big deal, why hasn’t he mentioned before, like when HE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE?
It was codified in 1954. n 1954, Congress codified earlier census acts and all other statutes authorizing the decennial census as Title 13, U.S. Code. Title 13, U.S. Code, does not specify which subjects or questions are to be included in the decennial census. However, it does require the Census Bureau to notify Congress of general census subjects to be addressed 3 years before the decennial census and the actual questions to be asked 2 years before the decennial census. So that means that this census was set up under President Bush. Obama tried to move the authority to run it over to the Executive, but failed.
As a conservative I can understand some of the concerns my fellow Americans have about the census, the current crop of politicians, and the encroachment of government everywhere. But, people, get a grip. All this talk of shooting defenseless enumerators, your fellow Americans, mostly mothers and fathers or college students, just trying to do one of the few Constitutionally mandated things that your government does, is wrong. Sure, if someone breaks into your house, confront them appropriately. But, seriously, are all of you actually thinking that your average American citizen, hired weeks ago, is going to demand access to apartments, empty or not? What the heck would a census worker do in an empty apartment? They have to talk to a citizen, remember?
Barr is misinterpreting this. Use some common sense.
anyone can say anything
May 29th, 2010
1:38 am
that is complete, utter nonsense. i worked for the census. you can’t go in anyone’s house.
cite the law, or stop lying.
dc
May 29th, 2010
1:44 am
WRONG!Fed laws do NOT apply within the States!
As per art 1 sec 8 of the Constitution, federal laws apply ONLY to Wash DC, not the States:
“..to excercise Legislation..over such District [ie. Washington DC , the District of Columbia] ..not exceeding ten Miles square…..”
NOT EXCEEDING 10 MILES SQUARE! NO FEDERAL JURISDICTION IN Calif, NY, Oklahoma, et al!!
Now what thge states should really do is start a sound money system , silver/gold /certificates to replace the private “Federal Reserve NOTES (IOU’s!)”
created out of thin air by the infamous Bauer’s aka RED-Shields aka Rothschilds aka RATchilds and their subordinates the Rottenfellers and Warburgs. “The borrower is servant to the lender” and this puts the evil sicko’s -who get rich from wars and have killed millions of people in their engineered wars so far and are planning nuclear WW3 right now- in charge of the federal govt which borrows at interest every dollar that exists. (see Russo’s http://www.freedomtofascism.com ) Also,Oklahoma and the other States had better get their National Guard troops back home to protect We the People from a federal/UN trroops (google the military’s “Partnership for Peace” scam) invasion.
1. Honest gold/silver based money system
2. State ,County,local militias to protect from a subsequent military takeover attempt by Fed Banksters as they will try to maintain their trillions of dollars “Central Bank of Issue” scam!!
Paddy
May 29th, 2010
1:48 am
Bob,
Your lies and fear mongering are the most detrimental thing you could do right now with what little influence remains to you. You are a political mistake; it has only taken us a few years to realize that. Quit while you still have your dignity; you certainly have little currency with libertarians any more.
Merlin
May 29th, 2010
1:57 am
The flood gates are open, the US Government let’s anyone in, and instead of having something based on merit it’s based on quota. Same apparently with getting government jobs.
BobbBarrimprisonedpeacefulpeacefulforusingdrugsandhasneverapolagized
May 29th, 2010
1:59 am
113 attacks on census workers in ! month.
Daily Assaults on millions of Americans every day in the form of robbery and lost prosperity by U.S. criminal state (redundant).
Hundreds of thousands of murders of foreigners by Psychopaths Bush and Obama,
Census workers are doing nothing of value but there are literally thousands of much graver offenses committed by the Washington murderer thugs of both party’s every single day
Merlin
May 29th, 2010
1:59 am
Bob, you’re not the owner if you rent a property, get over it.
Merlin
May 29th, 2010
2:02 am
Here’s a movie that some of you might like, it’s food for thought and action. This is England.