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Press Release

LULAC demands full investigation into an immigration search of Red Cross Shelter in Long Beach, Mississippi
Organizational leaders are appalled at local authorities for victimizing Hispanics still in need of hurricane relief aid and are concerned over the safety of immigrants

October 7, 2005

Contact: Brenda Alvarez, (202) 833-6130

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has asked President Bush to investigate the local police and the U.S. Marshals Service in Long Beach, Mississippi for entering a Red Cross shelter for hurricane evacuees and demanding identification from people who looked Hispanic and threatening them with deportation. 

“It is unacceptable, inhumane and un-American to victimize a group of people who are still recovering from the devastating affects of the hurricanes,” said LULAC National President Hector Flores.  “Immigrants seek refuge at Red Cross shelters with the comfort of knowing their immigration status will not be questioned.  The raid in Long Beach, Mississippi has now jeopardized the lives of hundreds of people.” 

Flores stated in a letter to President Bush that “our government continues to face harsh criticism over its handling of hurricane relief efforts, and this type of behavior only serves to fuel sentiments that minorities affected by the hurricanes are treated unfairly and are falling through the cracks of disaster recovery.”    

In addition to President Bush, Flores contacted Secretary Michael Chertoff of Homeland Security, Acting Director John Clark of the U.S. Marshals Services; Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority Leader Harry Reid. 

To view the letter to President Bush, click www.lulac.org/lettertopresidentbush.pdf. 

As the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, I demand a full investigation into this matter and ask that the local police and the U.S. Marshals cease and desist from entering hurricane relief sites. 

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