According to the latest survey from the Census Bureau, the Bronx is among the top 10 most diverse cities in the country. Some 31 percent of its 1.4 million residents are immigrants, the survey says. Initially, the bureau and city officials felt the immigrant community, especially those without visas or green cards, would  not participate in this year’s full census count because of fears that they might be deported.

But at least in the northwest Bronx, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

In the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigration Rights’ Bronx office on Bainbridge Avenue in North Fordham, Haydee

Muñiz, a census representative, helps clients fill out their census forms. “I encourage people to fill out the forms by telling them that this is how they are counted as a community member, this is what will help them get the benefits they want,” Muñiz said.

Once coalition clients were told the purpose of the census, Muñiz said they were compliant and filled out their forms. Since their citizenship status wasn’t asked about, they felt more secure.

Muñiz was able to get at least 10 applications completed weekly, she said.

One undocumented immigrant client who preferred to remain anonymous said she filled out her form the instant she received it. “I know that whether I’m a citizen or not, I count,” she said. “And I need them to count my children because they need to receive an education.”

 “The main question is usually what they should answer under race because there is no Hispanic option,” said Muñiz. This was an issue that many Hispanics in the community faced, leaving them no other choice but to mark the option of “other.”

The Census Bureau website explains: “The 2010 Census is not designed to capture data on a person’s ancestry.”
According to the website’s mail participation rate tracker, as of

April 19, the Bronx’s mail-back rate was 59 percent, besting 2000’s rate of 57 percent. New York City as a whole had a rate of 57 percent, while the state’s mail-back was up to 69 percent.

Locally, the Norwood area was sending in about 59 percent of its forms, while Bedford Park’s rate was at 64 percent and University Heights, 70 percent.

Residents who did not return forms by April 16 will be receiving home visits between May and July.

Ed. Note: The North Manhattan Coalition is located at 2715 Bainbridge Ave. on 196th Street and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (718) 484-8294 or visit the U.S. Census Bureau Website at http://2010.census.gov.