Undercounts, like misclassifications, can affect where resources are directed. According to a 2018 report from Grassroots Solutions, a 7,123-person population decline across two north Minneapolis ZIP codes, whether the result of an undercount or not, cost Minnesota, Hennepin County and Minneapolis over $100 million in federal funding.

Thao said that, given the challenges they’re facing, advocacy work and expert input should be especially important to the census team.

“A lot of these folks are data people, and I don’t know that the lens they’re looking through is necessarily from a community level because they’re so analytical,” Thao said. “That’s just how they’re wired. So that’s where their community engagement comes into play.”

This story comes to you from Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color. Sign up for a free newsletter to receive Sahan’s stories in your inbox.