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
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:11 pm
Savage just started on a re-airing, on “KERNam” ;o)
David Dean O'keefe
May 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
the is no such thing as a “right to privacy”
The Constitution protects you from unlawful searches and siezures
Loesje Shema
May 27th, 2010
8:13 pm
Listen, people – once and for all – if you feel that any Census worker has been behaving inappropriately, call and report them. They are supposed to respect you and not threaten you.
Second, to the person that said the Jews shall not be counted, we do not ask anyone if they are Jewish, so we are not counting Jews. All the information becomes unidentifiable statistics, and the actual names, etc., collected are not released to the pubic for 72 years.
misinformation 8
May 27th, 2010
8:13 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Tina Ferrer
May 27th, 2010
8:14 pm
Please allow me a retort and a word of wisdom for any census worker that would entertain coming into my home without my permission. Two new nostrils, non negotiable.
Jay
May 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
No they can’t, you morons. The level if stoopid is high with you.
J Phred
May 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
To: Mary May 27th, 2010 8:49 am
Have you read the Daily KOS lately? Me thinks the pot is calling the kettle black.
Oh crap! Did I just make a racist statement?
YehudaSF
May 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
@ Loesje X: Your reading comprehension is on par with that of a three-toed sloth. The act of enumeration itself is forbidden you twit, what the evil ones claim to be counting is of no moment. Once more, you ignorant berk, participating in any manner in an enumeration process as a Jew is forbidden.
Shooter
May 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
The last sound they would hear, “Boom”!
misinformation 9
May 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Jeff
May 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
Bob, you are nuts.
The questions, while mostly foolish are not invasive. Who cares if you are latino, or what race you are.
And the census worker is trained to get the information from the resident, not to demand entrance anywhere. True a landlord can not prevent a census worker from entering the COMMON areas of an apt complex they can not enter an apartment, and should not ever enter one even when invited.
Our government is too big and bloated for sure, but counting the people is necessary to set the representation in Congress, Barr wants to scare people so that the government can estimate the number of people and who do you think the Dems in power will estimate in favor of?
misinformation -
May 27th, 2010
8:17 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
JohnnyBoy
May 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
The article fails to state under what “law” this can alledgedly occur, Further, if congress has passed such a law, it is obviously unconstitutional. So I would ask the author of the article, state some further facts, please.
Panagiota Kontos
May 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
You folks are such gullible sheeple. As if something like an “interpretation” of the law would stop ACORN, the SEIU or the Obama Administration. I’ve never really like Barr, but he is SPOT ON with this. The government will use every possible reading of even the most obscure regs and administrative orders to invade your privacy.
Just remember the ugly Chewbacca woman who worked for Clinton and how she took that little boy from Cuba away from his uncle at GUNPOINT.
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
You guys hear the report the other day that They are firing these workers, then rehiring these people to tweek the employment count-upwards.
On paper, it shows an increase of employment nationally.
Jack Foster
May 27th, 2010
8:19 pm
Privacy is not a freedom, but a right, a right graranteed in such cases by the Fifth and (arguably) Ninth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Jason
May 27th, 2010
8:19 pm
Im a census enumerator. Unfortunately, I can’t even begin to enumerate the sheer number of falsehoods and mischaracterizations contained in those four paragraphs.
Armed Texan
May 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
Come through my door without my consent and you’ll be met by a 12 gauge in your mouth! Welcome to Texas.
rick
May 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
The people hired will be union members and Obama people. One way to redistribute the wealth. They just come in and take it. Guess we found out how Obama is going to fund his next election campaign
Carma
May 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
I work for the Census.. We are not allowed inside anyone’s house under any circumstances.. We only stand at the door an ask how many people live there and a few other basic non-intrusive questions!!!! We do n ot ask for license numbers or social security numbers.. If someone ask you for that information they are NOT census people but cons!! Its publications like this that are making our jobs harder and more dangerous because people threaten our lives or pull guns on us!!
lolwut
May 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
Hey, Geechee- did you hear about the woman who recognized a convicted rapist in her home? What about the census worker who actually raped someone?
If this article doesn’t make you angry, you’re completely programmed by the state. Just get your bar code tattoo already.
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
ty Kontos. Never forget Elian…. or Waco, or Ruby Ridge..ever.
Cass
May 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
Please tell me why any information other than a count is necessary for the census. Which gender/race/age/relationship is preferred for representation or funding? Which answers will increase or reduce funding or representation for my community? Why?
James
May 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
I don’t answer my door and anyone coming into my abode without permission will be treated the same. So the census better buy a whole bunch of mops and buckets if they’re coming here.
Tom Johnston
May 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
GREAT–You can meet my pit bull
whatev
May 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
Byron Mathison Kerr writes:
“Scary! Good incentive to take those few moments to fill out that simple census form.”
————————————————————-
-Yes, Byron, but would filling out a form deter the government from falsely claiming a right to access your residence without your permission? And can a man’s natural rights be preempted by a government’s self-granted dictatorial rights?
-But , Byron, sounds as though fear of retribution would compell you to capitulate to government pressure to answer questions that amount to an unlawful invasion of privacy.
-And, Byron, can you really call it a “census” if it’s objectives include a demand for information beyond a census’ raison d’etre; that is, “number of occupants?”
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
sure are a lot of door knockers in here, all of a sudden?
Go get a real job, damit!!!
Jason
May 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
We’re so lucky to have Dear Leader and his Merry Band of Marxists. What would we do without them?
DTOM!
http://RightWingStuff.com
The Greatest Ever
May 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
What do you racist nazi rightwing teabaggers need freedom for? Put all power, money, faith in Obama, and everything will be perfect
jihadkiller
May 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
Come on in. I’m right behind the”Flash”!
darrell7887
May 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
It will be like the Roach Motel……census workers check in….but they won’t check out. Enter my house at your own risk!!!! Locked and loaded.
James Woods
May 27th, 2010
8:26 pm
Nice to see gov employees and sympathizers covering for this.
The facts are census workers have raped, robbed, threatened, harassed, and committed other crimes already in this recent census.
They have sex offenders working under fake names, personal items being stolen, and the power of the government to squash negative talk on the media.
Cenus workers rape & rob, it makes a small portion of the news. A census worker ’said to have been assaulted” gets crazy air play.
Government Media Complex.
People need to wakeup, your government has money to spend on commercials but I can assure you if you call them to fix a pothole in your local area they will tell you they don’t have the money.
CaptainRamius
May 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
This is crap.
I’m a census worker. I voted for Ronald Reagan twice and was an proud conservative while most of you folks were backing Dukakis, Perot and Clinton. We were told — and had it spelled out in writing — that we are NEVER to ask to enter anyone’s home. If it’s hot, raining or whatever, we’re supposed to stay outside and gather the information. Peroid. If Barr or anyone else who is chromosone deprived writes otherwise, they are mistaken.
All you Goobers who don’t want to answer the questions on your Census form, but then run around touting your love for the Constitution, have to realize that it is against the law not to cooperate. Period.
If you don’t like the Constitution, petition to change it. That is your right. It’s not your right to pick and choose the laws you wish to follow.
So many lies about the Census have been spread on-line, it’s flat-out sad.
The questions themselves are pretty harmless and — here’s the dirty little secret — about 100 percent of the information that we need is already available — for free — on line. Even birthdates are there for the taking if you find folks on Facebook or MySpace.
So, when some poor schlub like me comes to the door who is just trying to make a couple of extra bucks, you can wallow in the ignorance of your misbeliefs or just do what is required of everyone else in the country.
Craig
May 27th, 2010
8:28 pm
To LD: Thats because the immigrants legal and illegal get benefits from the census and us angry americans not only don’t get any benefits, we get ripped off for the benefits that the immigrants get and they never contributed anything to the government except a socialist vote. my mother and father paid SS all their lives and the government found ways of ripping both of them off while giving full benenfits to aliens here that never paid a dime in taxes. The law is what the law does, not what the law says. Ask federal border enforcement, the law says they should arrest and deport illegal entrants. They openly defy thier duty for the good of the party they all belong to. The Democrats.
jb80538
May 27th, 2010
8:30 pm
I never got a census form and neither did several of my neighbors. I don’t recal getting one 10 years ago either and no one came to my door then.
Rich Bogard
May 27th, 2010
8:30 pm
For all the truthful facts>>>> Rich Bogard >>>> roberson5111@comcast.net
Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence - US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum
May 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
[...] [...]
rick
May 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
Here in TX we look it as trespassing. If I come home and find someone in my house that is not supposed to be there-lets just say I hope their life insurance is paid up. One could get trained guard dogs to watch the place while you are gone. That would be a nice surprize for a pushy census taker. How about a lion or tiger for a pet? Just dont feed them when you leave. Maybe there would be no evidence when you get home.hehe. Yeah, I know that is evil but no more evil than this administration trying to take our rights away. I will have to show them papers, illegals dont. But the illegals will get free stuff anyway. Stuff we pay for.
Bryan M
May 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
Tell them they are required to abide by the Privacy Act of 1974. Tell them to show you in writing how their request to enter someone’s apartment complies with this requirement, on letterhead, complete with their supervisor’s signature. Guess what? Their request doesn’t comply. They are obligated to follow the law too.
Rick in Lorain
May 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
NO ONE, including census workers, landlords or even the police, are not permitted to enter a rented property without lessee’s consent, or in the case of police, a search warrant. If my landlord allowed a census worker into my apartment without my knowledge, I would sue them for every penny I could.
PleaseComeIn
May 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
My gun respectfully and cordially wishes every census worker a nice day after leaving my property.
Cass
May 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
CaptainRamius: The Constitution grants our government the power to enumerate the people, that is ALL. Enumerate means “count.” Not classify, define, divide into groups , etc. Just COUNT. We actually want the government to abide by the Constitution and quit deciding “they know better.”
Hank Rearden
May 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Having once lived in apartheid South Africa, I have had a bellyful of questions regarding my race. So I don’t answer them. Besides, the US has already abused such information – see below.
Ran Roddeb: regarding confidentiality, I suggest you find an American of Japanese ethnicity who was born before WWII. Ask him how secure the Census Bureau kept his information. Ask him what resulted in his being interred in American concentration camps. And no, given the abuses that are apparent in so much of today’s government (PATRIOT Act, etc.), I don’t believe for a minute that such information won’t be abused again in stressful circumstances.
Liz
May 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Yeah, if they want to get their head blown off.
vladimir
May 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
i threw away the census form and never home when the reichchancellor’s inquisition comes by. i have an alrm and a 125 lb doberman..let the nazis try and come in.
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Wait till China starts flexing against Taiwan…. you really believe president Soetoro will do a thing… what-with the now impending North Korea thing with SK? *sigh….this Kenyan is now chest deep in his own excrement, and sinking fast.
none
May 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
News to me, the sensus worker is only supposed to return twice if no one answers the door?
I sent in the census form. That sensus guy has been back six times In three weeks. I am a single female. I refuse to answer the door!
claspur
May 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
*there’s more census workers in here now than regular bloggers? lmao
Panagiota Kontos
May 27th, 2010
8:40 pm
Census workers, and all socialist government apologists, are losers, plain and simple. You leftist twits would sell your soul to the deil if it makes you look good to the NY Times, the Eurotrash, Methodists or Hollywood Jews.
At least it’s refreshing to see that Soros and Rahm have sent out the order for the leftnut freaks to “cover” for their man-child from Kenya.Who cares about the Gulf, can’t mess up the Messiah’s vacation, can we?
Jan Goldberg
May 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
I am a “lowly” census taker. Never entered anywhere I wasn’t invited. Just checked REF (refused) when super patriot doesn’t want to give any information.
No trespassing, beware of dog, locked gates – we’re gone. Ask a neighbor if they might know how many trembling patriots lived there as of April 1, 2010 (April fool’s day) and their sex. Approximate age if known.
You fear monger “patriots” make me laugh.
Get a pair of balls, yours are missing.