The Department of Homeland Security announced it would not conduct immigration enforcement at sites providing emergency relief following Hurricane Ian. According to the Migrant Policy Institute, nearly 1.5 million undocumented immigrants live in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, the areas most significantly impacted by the Category 4 storm.
Key Information
- “Protected areas” include evacuation routes, shelters, emergency supply distribution centers, and registration sites for disaster relief and reunification with loved ones.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will help with search and rescue and public safety as requested by FEMA or local and state governments.
- Individuals should know that “DHS officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities.”
Erickson Insights
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers immigration services for people affected by natural disasters, including flooding, hurricanes, and fires, on a case-by-case basis and by request.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.