Dear CIRC Members,
Please find in this flood bulletin #2:
- How immigrants and their families can register for immediate assistance.
- Preliminary frequently asked questions regarding flood/disaster assistance and immigration status.
- Upcoming member community outreach events
Information regarding flood/disaster assistance for our immigrant communities, particularly undocumented and mixed-status families, has not been readily available or accessible, but we are making progress. We are working with Senator Bennet’s office and FEMA to try to produce immigrant-friendly and language-accessible flyers and FAQ’s for distribution. Please stay tuned for more of these resources in future bulletins.
How immigrants and their families can register for immediate assistance.
The first and most important immediate message for your affected communities is that ALL individuals and families should register with FEMA, regardless of immigration status (see below for full FAQ). Registering with FEMA will be one of the best ways to access as much assistance as possible, either directly from FEMA or from state or local partner agencies on the ground. It is safe for immigrants to register with FEMA.
Individuals and families should register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Flyer in Spanish here. Flyer in English here. They will ask for social security number but this is not required for registration. We are trying to work with FEMA to create immigrant friendly registration flyers that clarify that social security not required to register. Will send along once available.
Preliminary frequently asked questions regarding flood/disaster assistance and immigration status.
Download Full FEMA FAQ here on immigration status and FEMA assistance.
Immedate pertinent FAQ below:
What status is required for the FEMA assistance?
• Only citizens and legal permanent residents may apply for FEMA cash assistance. Undocumented immigrants and those in the United States with temporary tourist visas, student visas, work visas and temporary resident cards are not eligible for cash assistance. However, FEMA provides emergency non-cash emergency services to all residents, regardless of status, to meet their basic needs such as such as transportation, emergency medical care, crisis counseling, and emergency shelter to whomever needs them. And it provides emergency food, water, medicine, and other supplies to meet disaster victims’ basic needs.
• It is important to note that only one member of a household needs to be eligible to qualify the entire household for FEMA assistance, so parents and guardians may apply for assistance on behalf of a minor child here legally. A household with family members with mixed immigration status may be eligible for disaster assistance. FEMA does not collect information on the immigration status of other household members.
• Regardless of immigration status, affected residents in declared counties should register with FEMA. FEMA HelpLine specialists can refer them to other programs that may provide disaster-assistance regardless of their immigration status. Recovery specialists can supply contacts for other programs that may be able to help. They will not have to provide any information on their immigration status or sign any documents regarding their status.
For undocumented persons, do you know if any federal, state or local resources might be available?
• Undocumented immigrants may be eligible under different programs run by State and local agencies and voluntary agencies for various types of cash assistance. They should register with FEMA, who can supply them with contacts for other programs that may be able to help. FEMA is collocated with other disaster relief organizations like the Red Cross at Disaster Relief Centers, and will put them in touch with the right organization to assist.
Does the Red Cross or United Way or Salvation Army require proof of status?
• No, they do not require proof of status.
Upcoming member community outreach events:
Boulder County Safe Circle Event
Who: Immigrant flood victims in Boulder County
What: Safe Circle where Spanish speaking flood victims can ask questions and share their experiences. We will have a bilingual counselor and a bilingual FEMA representative present. This is intended to be a small gathering where we can focus on families directly impacted.
Where: First Lutheran Church 803 3rd Ave Longmont 80501
When: Thursday, September 19th, 6:30-9:00pm
Description: The plan is to connect flood victims to resources and open up a safe space where people can ask questions and share their experiences. We have confirmed a bilingual FEMA representative to speak about FEMA and answer questions. Carmen Ramirez will talk about the City of Longmont resources. Marta Moreno from El Comite will give information about the Mexican Consulate and how to access their services. We are working on getting a professional bilingual counselor to lead a circle where people can share their experiences.
Sponsored by: CIRC, LYFE and El Comite de Longmont with support from Carmen Ramirez with The City of Longmont, Norma Fuentes with Intercambio, Angel Sanchez and Ellen Sacayon St. Vrain Valley School District Employees.
Contact: Sonia Marquez, CIRC Northern Organizer
sonia@coloradoimmigrant.org
720.404.2551
Weld County Document Recovery Community Forum
Frente de Lucha (Greeley) and Fuerza Latina (Ft. Collins) are planning a community forum focused specifically on assisting families with recovering immigration documents lost in the flood.
Dates and times to be determined and we will send out once finalized. For more information or to support these efforts, please call Ricardo Romero with Frente de Lucha at 970-388-0834 or Kim Baker-Medina at 970-493-2878.
In solidarity, safety and recovery,
Julien Ross
Executive Director
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
Cell: 720-290-1125
