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Meng Questions U.S. Census Bureau Director About Language Access Issues for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

May 4, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, questioned John Thompson, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, on how the Bureau will address language and translation needs in the 2020 census.
"It is important that the U.S. Census Bureau take steps to close the language access gaps faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities," said Meng. "The American Community Survey, which is used to determine the need for bilingual education in schools, interpreters at hospitals, and bilingual ballots at poll sites required under the Voting Rights Act, is not currently translated into any Asian languages. Even the question on the form, ‘How well do you speak English?' is in English! This must change. The census provides information that affects public policy, and if AAPI communities lack the language tools to answer questions accurately, then they are at a disadvantage from the beginning."
Meng's questions focused on whether the Census Bureau would expand the number of languages translated for the ACS, how the Bureau's recruitment and hiring processes take into account language capabilities, and whether the 2016 census test run could accurately capture information about the Korean-speaking population. According to the American Community Survey (ACS), 76% of Korean-speaking citizens do not speak English "very well." Very few Korean responses were obtained during the 2016 census test run.
The ACS helps local officials, community leaders and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed information about the American people and workforce. In 2000, the census long form was translated into Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Japanese. Limited English proficient respondents were able to independently complete the questionnaire. But the ACS is not translated into any Asian language, though it is available in Spanish.
Meng represents one of the most diverse districts in the country with an Asian American population of over 40 percent.
See attached photo of Meng questioning Census Bureau Director John Thompson during a hearing held by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.