Congressmen Seek FEMA Clarification On Fire Aid For Immigrants

NORTH BAY, CA — Five Democrat Congressmen have signed a letter that asks the Federal Emergency Management Agency to clarify its immigration policies regarding federal aid for recent fire victims in the state. Rep. Jared Huffman said some applicants eligible for FEMA aid are concerned they might expose their family members and others to deportation.

Reps. Huffman, Mike Thompson, Jerry McNerney, John Garamendi and Salud Carbajal, who represent districts impacted by this month's wildfires, asked FEMA Administrator Brock Long to confirm that FEMA's verification process for eligible applicants will not be used to seek the immigration status of their neighbors, family members or other household members.

The letter also asked for an explanation of any conditions FEMA may have for sharing personal identifying information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"We have heard from constituents who are eligible for aid - U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified aliens - but are concerned that applying for FEMA assistance might expose their family members or neighbors to immigration enforcement," the letter states.

"It is our understanding that FEMA does not gather information about immigration status for non-applicants, and we are hopeful that you can provide assurance that the verification process for eligible applicants will not be used to seek immigration status of their neighbors, family members and friends," the letter states.

Huffman said FEMA has assured him it does not collect immigration information from those registering for assistance, but he and the other Congressmen still hear concerns from their constituents that the verification process, even for legally eligible applicants, may provide information to ICE about others.

There is concern that submitting an application on behalf of a U.S. citizen child who is eligible for aid but whose siblings are not, might inadvertently reveal the immigration status of family members if the application describes the number of people in the household, Huffman said.

"In light of our constituents' concerns, we would also appreciate an explanation of any process that might lead to information sharing between FEMA and ICE," the Congressmen said.

The letter also thanks FEMA for its swift response to the California wildfires and its commitment to supporting the fire-affected communities as they rebuild.

By Bay City News Service

Photo: Sonoma County fire victims wait in line at a FEMA Local Assistance Center in Santa Rosa, California. (Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com).