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The Census Undercount, the Underground Economy and Undocumented Migration: The Case of Dominicans in Santruce, Puerto Rico
The Census Undercount, the Underground Economy and Undocumented Migration: The Case of Dominicans in Santruce, Puerto Rico
EV92-17
Introduction
Many people conceal personal information from strangers because the latter might use that knowledge to harm them. Thus, "some individuals or households or whole communities customarily and habitually resist giving information they consider as private to outsiders" (Brownrigg and Fansler 1990:27). In particular, people may not cooperate with the government because they suspect its motives in collecting data. For example, Puerto Ricans and Blacks in New York City routinely withhold information from public assistance authorities to protect illicit or irregular sources of income (Bourgois 1990). In sum, people’s fear and distrust of strangers make it difficult to conduct a complete census of the population.
Others in Series
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Alternative Enumeration among Korean Americans in Queens, New York
The first wave of Korean immigrants to the U.S. took place between 1903-1905.
Working Paper
Hispanics in a Racially and Ethnically Mixed Neighborhood
This is the final report on a study of causes of census undercount of Hispanics in a racially and ethnically mixed neighborhood.
Working Paper
Behavioral Causes of Census Undercount of Undocumented Immigrants
This is the final report on the behavioral causes of census undercount of undocumented Latino immigrants in a heterogeneous urban neighborhood.
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Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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