The Mexican consulate in Houston estimates 40,000 Mexicans lived in Louisiana before the hurricane, and the Honduran embassy in Washington, DC, estimates between 140,000 and 150,000 Hondurans lived in the New Orleans area. However, this number is at odds with some consular approximations. According to the 2004 American Community Survey, the foreign-born population in Louisiana was estimated at 125,548. Jeffrey Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center gave a conservative estimate that the total unauthorized immigrant population in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama was 20,000 to 35,000. However, several storm victims were questioned by immigration authorities and three were ordered to appear for deportation hearings.īy law, unauthorized immigrants are eligible for short-term, non-cash government disaster relief, but they are not able to access federal aid such as food stamps or cash, housing, or job placement assistance that is available to citizens and legally resident hurricane victims. A spokesperson from the department stated that rescuers have not asked people whether they are in the country legally. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has encouraged unauthorized immigrants affected by the hurricane to come forward and seek assistance, but it has not promised that victims will not be reported to immigration authorities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were deployed to New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas in the days following the hurricane. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contributed aircraft for rescue efforts and sent over 100 Border Patrol agents to provide law enforcement to affected areas. Immigration enforcement agents have been assisting rescue and law enforcement efforts in New Orleans and in Gulf Coast areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Aftermath of Katrina Affects Immigration Enforcement
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