Portuguese-Speaking Complete Count Committee Urges Community Members to Complete the Census

The following letter was submitted by the Portuguese-Speaking Complete Count Committee to the Boston Globe and WBUR in response to the recent call for a Census boycott that Jason Pramas described in his Open Media Boston editorial on this issue. It was printed in part in the Boston Globe:


Dear Editor,
The position adopted by a few people who oppose immigrant participation in the 2010 US Census does not reflect the overwhelmingly pro‐Census sentiment in our communities. Last month, more than 30 Portuguese-speaking leaders and advocates formed a statewide complete count committee to spread awareness about the Census and its fundamental importance for immigrants.

Threatening a boycott to force immigration reform will only increase anti‐immigrant sentiment across the country. We want to be counted, to be recognized, and to keep helping this country become a better place for all of us – native or foreign‐born. Backers may think they are flexing political muscle when in fact they are risking the loss of a limb, in the form of a Massachusetts Congressional seat that would likely be cut due to a low population count. Substantial funding reductions for key state and local services, including many that help immigrants, are
also expected with an undercount. In these challenging times, such losses would have serious consequences for Bay State residents.

The 2010 US Census is a unique opportunity for all immigrant communities to show their size and the importance of their contributions to the United States. Their participation builds a stronger society.

Respectfully,
Paulo Pinto, MPA
Executive Director
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)
And the other members of
The Portuguese‐Speaking Complete Count Committee (Please see the full list below)
c/o MAPS
1046 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 864‐7600

Members of the Portuguese-Speaking Complete Count Committee for the 2010 US Census
1. Paulo Pinto – MAPS
2. Lois Josimovich – MAPS
3. Anabela C. Quelha – MAPS
4. Norma Malkiel – MAPS
5. Renan Leahy – MAPS
6. Donna Landry-Rodrigues – MAPS
7. Julia Jardim Evora – MAPS
8. Martha Vasconcellos – MAPS
9. Maria Matos – MAPS
10. Paula Bronzoni – MAPS
11. Victor Do Couto – MAPS Board
12. Marcony Almeida – MAPS Board and MIRA Coalition
13. Liz Chaves – MAPS Board
14. Roberta Pinheiro – Framingham
15. Heloísa Galvão – Brazilian Women’s Group
16. José Ferrão – Customer Strategy International, LLP
17. Josefina Silva
18. Carlos A.F. Da Silva – Brazilian Total Assistance, and Quincy Complete Count Committee
19. Eduardo Siqueira – Brazilian Immigrant Center
20. Edirson Paiva – Brazilian Times
21. Geraldo Corredor da Paz – Photographer
22. Regina Bertholdo – Brazilian Women’s Group, Somerville Parents
23. Ilton Lisboa – Framingham
24. José Ronaldo Ferreira – O Favorito
25. Helena Marques – Immigrants Assistance Center, New Bedford
26. Shirley Farber – Bate Papo TV & Magazine
27. Adalberto Teixeira – City of Boston
28. Elisa Garibaldi – Lowell

Note: Since the submission of the letter, several other community members have joined the committee.