Why Did We Even Need To Ask This Question?

The Austin American-Statesman reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs police won’t do sweeps of shelters for evacuees of Hurricane Harvey for non-criminal illegal immigrants. Why is this even an issue? Shouldn’t all police and first responders be focused on preserving life during an emergency like this?? Yes that would include apprehending individuals IN criminal activities…but rescuing people and getting people to safety and coordinating evacuation efforts should be everyone’s focus. PERIOD! What is wrong with ICE that this is even a concern? And what is wrong with the United States that human beings might be afraid to seek shelter at the risk of their lives for fear of arrest?

Federal immigration officials won’t be arresting people with non-criminal backgrounds suspected of being in the country illegally at evacuation sites or shelters during Hurricane Harvey.

“Routine non-criminal immigration enforcement operations will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks. The laws will not be suspended, and we will be vigilant against any effort by criminals to exploit disruptions caused by the storm,” according to a news release by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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