Do you think census data should be used to identify undocumented immigrants in order to deport them
This podcast not only examines research methods for the biggest and most important federal level data gathered in the US about its citizens and residents, but also goes into the politics of what questions are asked, especially about citizenship status. What do you think about the points raised in the podcast? Do you think census data should be used to identify undocumented immigrants in order to deport them? In the discussion on the podcast, what role do research ethics, including confidentiality, play in terms of the safety or honesty of respondents? On another note, why do you think some people are reluctant to answer census questions? Address some or all of these questions in your answer. Be sure to include information from the podcast to demonstrate that you listened to it.
The most important information that was there to be noted in the podcast was about American Community Survey. American Community Survey conducted every year and asks question about citizenship. This survey is conducted from 3 million people. I think if people don’t mind being asked citizenship question in the American Community Survey, why would they be hesitant in the census? The question about citizenship is not being asked in the last few survey, which has made every person believe it’s not a valid question I think. I do understand that research ethics are at stake here because the data might be used by the immigration administration. To make sure that this data is not used by anyone else than the census department, legislation could be done or social organizations could move to courts to get legal orders not to do so. Having said that, it is a fundamental part of the census to know about all personalized data of the respondents, even their nationalities because this information enables the government make internal and external decisions that could impact the future of the country. People may definitely be reluctant to answer some questions but I am sure that it would not have an adverse effect on the census over all.