Friday, July 11, 2008

Preparing for a possible hurricane evacuation in the Texas "Valley":Immigrants Included

The valley has been part of all my life. Every year I go visit family and friends and travel to Corpus Christi, Padre Island and even Matamaros, Tamps. Last year a couple of hurricanes threaten the Texas Coast, and the valley didn't spare threats. In regards to the article, several organizations have filed a law suit against U.S. Border Patrol, Why? They want to be prepared in case of hurricane evacuation. Many people will fear la migra more than the hurricane and try to champion any storm, resulting in tragedies. I commend those organizations working together to get clear answers instead of shaddy plan from the border patrol.

Will they check documents? I can't wait for the outcome!!!
Think about it, what will they respond?
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Valley group suing U.S. Border Patrol over document checks in an evacuation
By Lynn Brezosky
The San Antonia Express News, July 9, 2008


San Juan -- A group of Rio Grande Valley nonprofit agencies announced Wednesday they were suing the U.S. Border Patrol to get clear answers on whether there would be document checks of Rio Grande Valley residents fleeing a hurricane.

The lawsuit, to be filed Wednesday in federal court in McAllen, claims conflicting statements by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have brought fear and confusion to a region where many families are split between unauthorized immigrants and U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Those families have said they would not evacuate if they had reason to fear some would be singled out for eventual deportation as they boarded buses or drove through immigration checkpoints north of the Valley.

CBP officials did not immediately answer a request for comment on the lawsuit.

In past years, CBP has been mum on the issue. Local officials have said there is an informal understanding that immigration checks would be suspended during a disaster but said the Border Patrol could not publicize it.

The checkpoints are on the two main highways north out of the Valley and mark the end of the Border Patrol’s border saturation zone. Smugglers consider themselves 'home free' and in the U.S. interior once past them. The agency’s fear is smugglers will use a hurricane evacuation as a window of opportunity.

CBP agents in May were spotted rehearsing document checks during a mock evacuation, prompting a media storm during which a spokesman confirmed plans for bus checks and said it would be 'business as usual' at the checkpoints.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff later issued a statement saying agents would not impede a safe and speedy evacuation, which local officials took to be an acknowledgement that agents would let up on document checks.

But the nonprofits, including churches and self-help organizations, say people are not going to risk deportation by trying to guess CBP’s plans.

'If CBP is allowed to create consternation and confusion, it could lead to catastrophic loss of life' the lawsuit, written by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid lawyers, argues.

Attorney Eric Rodriguez said the Border Patrol’s ambiguity had 'set in motion the waves for a perfect storm.'

'By pursuing this reckless law enforcement policy, they've created a danger for everyone,' he said.

Having a policy in place would ease minds and possibly provide legal recourse if the Border Patrol checked documents after saying they wouldn’t, Rodriguez said. He said he hoped the matter would go before a judge as soon as possible, as the 2008 hurricane season is already underway.

Attempts to get answers via the Freedom of Information Act have been unsuccessful, he said.

'We’re trying to move on this now because we’re in the middle, or start of, the hurricane season,' Rodriguez said.

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