Hurricane Harvey Leaves Immigrants Unsafe and Uncertain.

​Houston, Texas, home to roughly 600,000 undocumented immigrants, has forced many to flee their homes.  Immigrants do not know if they will be able to access safe shelters or any relief services. Border Patrol has not stopped immigration operations at checkpoints in Texas. Many argue that this puts lives at risk and does not allow individuals to prioritize their own safety during the hurricane. 
 
Many political leaders in Houston have stated that no immigration enforcement routines would be practiced at food banks, shelters, or safe relief spaces.  However, this has not been a consistent message, nor is it possible for everyone in Houston to access this information. 
 
Our take: Typically, it is important to look at official statements from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rather than rumors, unofficial news sources, or individuals.   In this situation, ICE and the Border Patrol have both make contradictions, stating, at first that no laws will be suspended and later saying routine enforcement would not take place at shelters of any kind.   It is becoming difficult to decipher any clear stance from these mixed messages.