The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, in its passionate push for immigration reform, is attacking the one issue that could actually help their cause – the U.S. Census.

The group has issued a dim-witted call for undocumented immigrants to boycott the census, a call that they believe will somehow miraculously force the Barack Obama administration to hand earned legalization to those desperate for a green card.

But the foolish action could only hurt the immigrants they are advising, making it worse for reform to be obtained, especially in this climate of economic recession.

The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders should be encouraging their flock to fill out the census form for several reasons that will prove beneficial to this group in the long run. Let's remember that immigration reform will not happen in a vacuum.

First off, the U.S. Census of 2010 provides the opportunity for the undocumented to be truly counted and actually provides some form of proof to show that they actually do live and have been living in the country.

Secondly, the information collected on the form is basic – it asks no one about their immigration status or Social Security or tax numbers. It is also extremely confidential, and census officials who break that confidence can be jailed. This means the information is not shared with the Department of Homeland Security or the Internal Revenue Service or any other government agency.

All that becomes available once the census concludes is the raw data how many people there are in a zip code, city, state or nationally, their age their income levels, their housing status – whether they rent or own – a their ethnicity or ancestry.

What these groups and all Americans stand to gain is significant, since it comes down economic and political power. Filling out the census form with the accurate information allows the federal government to determine how $300 billion in federal funds is allotted yearly for states, meaning the states with the most people as determined by the census will get the most funding.

Additionally, the census data is used to determine congressional districts and the number of representatives a state has in Congress. So if undocumented were to follow erroneous advice and dismiss the census, then it could mean less representation in Congress for areas with the most undocumented immigrants. What this can do is reduce the number of lawmakers sympathetic to the cause of immigration reform, making this issue more of a pipe dream that keeps on slipping away.

And most importantly, the census data is what every other entity uses to determine the power and strength of each group – from politicians, to advertisers, corporations, nonprofits and foundations – which makes it extremely important for all immigrants especially, including Caribbean nationals, to fill out the forms accurately.

Latino and other groups that serve the undocumented had better get the facts before they run out and pass misinformation to their flock. The 2010 Census is the one opportunity we have to send a clear message that as immigrants, whether documented or not, we are here and we do pay taxes and need to obtain aid for our states so we can obtain social benefits that we often take for granted.

Let's remember that everything starts with facts – census facts that is. So the next time we complain of slow police or fire response, fewer library hours, lengthier waiting times at hospitals, poor political representation, no advertising sponsorship or funding dollars and overall disrespect, we must ask ourselves: did we fill out the census form? We have a real opportunity to do this easily and confidentially next March through April. Let's make sure we take the time to do so and return the form so we can ensure we all count in 2010.