During emergency events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborates with federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of affected communities.
In such circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remind the public that sites providing emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at these locations, which include evacuation routes, shelters, distribution sites for emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or family reunification.
At the request of FEMA or local and state authorities, ICE and CBP may assist in search and rescue operations, air traffic de-confliction, and public safety missions. They provide emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status. DHS officials will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities.
"DHS is committed to ensuring that every individual who seeks shelter, aid, or other assistance as a result of a natural disaster or emergency event is able to do so regardless of their immigration status," stated a DHS representative.
DHS carries out its mission without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, ethnicity, disability or political associations while complying with law and policy.
For information about filing a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties regarding these matters, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint.
