Beginning in mid-March, U.S. Census forms will be sent to mail-boxes across the country and, of course, to New Yorkers. In the past, undocumented immigrants and immigrants in general have remained skeptical about filling out and returning the forms, failing to realize the damage they are doing to themselves, their children and their communities. What many fail to realize is that Census numbers, or a count of the U.S. population every 10 years helps determine the way $400 billion in federal funding is spent annually in states, cities and neighborhoods across the country.

Right here in New York it will decide how much of that $400 billion pie we will get to improve health care, provide smaller class sizes and better education, and secure better roads, et al.

Many immigrant neighborhoods often complain about the lack of services when few bother to fill out the Census form. Undocumented immigrants especially need to fill out the form this month, as it could help them prove their presence in the United States and assist in getting a green card once immigration reform becomes a reality.

There is no need to worry as the information provided is completely confidential and, most importantly, it is your first step towards helping ensure that once earned legalization happens, you can take advantage of it by providing proof that you were present through your completion of the Census form.

This March, let's change that trend by taking 10 minutes of our time to fill out and return the Census form once we get it in our mail boxes. Most importantly, ensure you count each and everyone in your household, including your babies.

In the Caribbean community, CaribID, the movement to get Caribbean nationals accurately counted, is again urging all to fill out and return their Census forms. But most importantly, they are being urged to tick the "Some Other Race" category and write in their country of origin or ancestry while filling in their ethnic or racial identity.

Meaning, if you believe you are ethnically Black, then place an X next to "Black, African-American or Negro" on Question 9, then go down to "Some Other Race" in the same Question 9 and place an X next to that category and write in your country, such as Jamaica, Haiti, Jamaica, Belize, etc. This applies to any of the diverse ethnic groups from the Caribbean. So if you feel ethnically you are Asian or Caucasian, then follow the same process.

It is the first step for Caribbean nationals in this Census to truly begin an accurate count of this demographic nationwide. Why? First of all, we as Caribbean nationals must begin to tell our story in true numbers if we are to matter at any level – socially, politically and economically.

Many Caribbean nationalities complain about being ignored, while the media has been consistently disgruntled about lack of advertising. Few realize that everyone looks at Census numbers, and if your Census numbers are minute, then so is your power or the interest of the powers that be in your community. The Census is the main step towards empowering ourselves in the United States. Let's not miss this powerful opportunity as we continue the effort to ensure that our own Caribbean origin category is included on future Census forms.

The writer is founder of Carib-WorldNews.com, CaribPRWire and Hard Beat Communications. If you or someone you know has an immigration question, log on to www.immigrationkorner.com and submit your queries. Personal answers will not be provided.