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Update on Immigration and Hurricane Harvey

8/30/2017

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On August 25th, 2017, ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) released a joint statement to clarify their previously contradicting messages concerning undocumented immigrants impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In their statement, they assured the public that they would not be conducting “routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations” at both evacuation sites and assistance centres (ICE). However, the same press release also stated that “the laws will not be suspended, and we will be vigilant against any efforts by criminals to exploit disruptions by the storm” (ICE).
 
Prior to the release of the statement, rumours had been circulating that immigration enforcement would be checking papers and visiting shelters in an attempt to take advantage of undocumented immigrants who were in a more vulnerable position than usual because they were displaced. Many people were terrified to leave their homes in search of shelter for fear that they would be detained and deported.
 
The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, held a press conference yesterday announcing that he is willing to personally defend any undocumented immigrant who felt too scared to ask for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey for fear of being deported. In addition to confirming that undocumented immigrants would not be persecuted, he asked the Texas Senate to put Bill 4, one that outlaws sanctuary cities and allows officers to question a suspect’s immigration status if detained, on hold so that workers could focus on rescue and recovery.
 
Our Verdict: Undocumented immigrants and their families have to put their safety first in this situation. It is very sad that they are willing to risk their lives in order to avoid being deported, and speaks volumes of how much they risk when coming to America. Hopefully, both ICE and CBP will stay true to their word and focus on rescue and recovery for those who have been displaced, injured, or suffered any loss because of Hurricane Harvey, rather than use it as a means to round up undocumented immigrants.
 
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El 25 de agosto, 2017, ICE y CBP publicaron una declaración junta para clarificar sus previos mensajes acerca de los inmigrantes indocumentados quienes fueron impactados por el Huracán Harvey que causaron confusión.   En su declaración, aseguraron al público que no iban a conducir “operaciones rutinas de inmigración no-criminales” en lugares de evacuación y centros de asistencia (ICE). Sin embargo, en el mismo comunicado de prensa, también dijeron que “las leyes no serán suspendidas, y seremos vigilantes contra los esfuerzos por criminales de explotar a las disrupciones creadas por la tormenta” (ICE).
 
Antes de publicar le declaración, rumores estaban circulando que oficiales de inmigración estarían chequeando papeles y visitando refugios en intentos para tomar ventaja de inmigrantes indocumentados quienes estaban en situaciones vulnerables. Muchas personas no querían irse de sus hogares por miedo de ser detenidos y deportados.
 
El alcalde de Houston, Sylvester Turner, ayer tuvo una conferencia de prensa anunciando que él va a personalmente defender a cualquier inmigrante indocumentado quien sintió demasiado miedo para pedir ayuda después del Huracán Harvey. Después de confirmar que inmigrantes indocumentados no serán acosados, les pregunto al senado de Tejas que pongan a “Bill 4”, la cual dice las ciudades santuarias son ilegales y deja que un oficial pregunte el estado legal de una persona detenida, en pausa mientras el estado se enfoque en rescatar y recuperar.
 
Nuestro Veredicto: Inmigrantes indocumentados y sus familias deberían poner su seguridad primera en esta situación. Es muy triste que están dispuestos a arriesgar sus vidas para evadir ser deportados, y dice mucho sobre el riesgo que toman en venir a América. Con suerte, ambos ICE y CBP mantendrán su palabra y se enfocaran en rescatar y recuperar los que fueron desplazados, heridos, o sufrieron una pérdida por cause del huracán Harvey, en vez de usarla para arrear a inmigrantes indocumentados. 


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