In light of the severe weather and tornadoes impacting communities throughout the South and Midwest in December, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is assuring noncitizens that seeking help will not lead to arrest or deportation.

In a Dec. 21 DHS press release, the department expressed their commitment to providing shelter, aid and other assistance to every individual seeking help regardless of their immigration status. DHS does not want to restrain people’s access to and engagement in essential services.

“DHS is aware that some disaster survivors may fear applying for FEMA assistance due to their immigration status,” the release said. “FEMA does not collect information regarding immigration status or that of any member of an applicant’s household and does not proactively provide personal information to ICE or CBP for immigration enforcement.”

Sites that exist to provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas in regards to ICE and CBP enforcement actions, the release said. As a result, the agencies will, to the fullest extent possible, not conduct enforcement activities in these areas, including along evacuation routes, sites used for shelter or distributing emergency supplies, and registration sites for disaster-related assistance and reunification of loved ones. 

“DHS encourages all eligible individuals to apply for and seek out assistance. Please go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms for instructions on how to apply for FEMA disaster assistance,” DHS said in the release. 

Guidelines for ICE and CBP enforcement actions in areas with special protection requirements have been in effect since Oct. 27, the release said.