Fwd: Revised Letter on Immigrant Disaster Victims
karin wang
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rshama...@caimmigrant.org <rshama...@caimmigrant.org>
Date: Oct 31, 2007 1:24 PM
Subject: Revised Letter on Immigrant Disaster Victims
To: kw...@apalc.org
From: California Immigrant Policy Center
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Thanks to our colleagues in San Diego, here is a revised version of the sign-on letter we are circulating regarding the treatment of immigrant disaster victims during the recent fire. If you signed on to the first letter and want to remain signed on, you do not have to respond to this call. If you haven't yet signed on and would like to, or you want to change your endorsement of the letter, please email Reshma Shamasunder rshama...@caimmigrant.org by Thursday November 1, in the early afternoon. Thanks!
Open Letter on Treatment of Immigrant Disaster Victims
We, the undersigned organizations, stand together with San Diego residents of all backgrounds who lost their homes or were forced to flee the raging fires. We applaud the colossal effort and risk of firefighters who battled the blazes to protect the lives and property of all San Diegans. We applaud the courageous individuals and organizations that worked tirelessly to provide victims with support and assistance, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
We cannot stand silent, however, in the face of what appeared to be unequal treatment of the immigrant community in certain areas and incidents that resulted in the deportation of an evacuated family during the crisis.
Last week, in the midst of the evacuations from the wildfires, which displaced more than half a million residents, local police and emergency service providers repeatedly asked evacuees to present identity documents, proof of lawful immigrant status, and evidence of evacuation from an evacuation zone before allowing evacuees to access emergency food, shelter, clothing, and water. Many evacuees who were not able to readily produce the requested documents were and continue to be denied emergency relief assistance.
The actions of local authorities run counter to their responsibility to assist everyone in safety and rescue efforts during a natural disaster. Displaced persons are often unable to take personal documentation with them and it is unreasonable and inhumane to demand immigration documents from evacuees in a fire disaster. In San Diego, this encouraged racial profiling and the questioning of individuals based on their appearance and language.
We call on the Governor, policymakers, relief agencies and community leaders to examine the events of last week and work towards state and local policies that protect all residents during a natural disaster. We oppose the collaboration of local police and immigration and border patrol agents for any purpose except to assist disaster victims during a natural disaster. Finally, we call on disaster relief agencies to reach out to frightened immigrant fire victims and provide them with the services they need, using linguistically and culturally appropriate methods, recognizing the high number of limited English proficient residents in the area.
Last week's detention and deportation of Latino community members has created great fear among immigrant communities, deterring them from utilizing key services that they need to survive. As evacuees re-enter their homes and rebuild their lives, relief agencies that provide disaster assistance must meet the needs of all fire victims and should suspend any policies that require fingerprinting or a check of immigration status.
We must establish disaster preparedness programs that gain the public's cooperation with authorities in order to protect life and property and ensure the speedy delivery of care and services to all victims. These programs cannot discriminate against any one community; to do so is immoral and is contrary to our values.
CIPC is a partnership of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Coalition for
Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Services Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN)
CIPC 405 14th St. Suite 1400Oakland, CA 94612
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Karin Wang, Esq.
Vice-President, Programs
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone | 213.977.7500
Fax | 213.977.7595
Web | www.apalc.org