Census Officials Tour Dona Ana County Colonias

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – Census Bureau officials have been touring colonias in southern New Mexico.

They’re trying to counter feelings by residents that the 2010 Census could pass along their information to other federal agencies.

Some residents of the rural, low-income communities are undocumented immigrants who fear being deported.

The deputy director of the Census Bureau’s Denver region, Vicki McIntire, says the bureau is sworn to secrecy about information it collects.

She says a worker violating that oath faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Three regional Census Bureau officials toured eight of Dona Ana County’s 37 colonias Tuesday.

Officials plan to hire local residents to be colonias liaisons for next year’s census.

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