While I believe the current boycott of illegal immigrants’ participation in the 2010 census is well-intentioned, it has the potential to be seriously counterproductive to illegal immigrants’ best interests. Without census data, millions of illegal immigrants will lose representation and will actively be denying themselves of a voice by excluding their demographic information. Moreover, states with sizable illegal immigrant populations will risk losing electoral representation –and therefore funding for public services—if enough people refuse to participate in the 2010 census. Boycotting the census will do nothing but alienate illegal immigrants from society, ultimately draining funds, political representation and influence from communities with significant illegal immigrant populations.
Another essential dimension of the argument against the boycott is the concept of illegal immigrants as active members of the community. In my opinion, public services should be enjoyed by all community members, even those who are in the country illegally. Illegal immigrants often utilize public school systems and other public facilities, thereby participating and integrating themselves into the community at large. If illegal immigrants are encouraged to be active participants in the community and community services, I believe they should also be participating in the 2010 census, if for nothing else but than to represent the interests of their own demographic.
