Ignored victims

During the hurricane coverage of Katrina and Rita, we saw people being rescued from flooded homes and cars, but what about the victims who chose not to be rescued? These were the victims who hid from federal aid workers and TV cameras, preferring to survive on their own in the shadows of the flooded region. \n"The immigrants are the invisible victims of the hurricane," said Gloria Saucedo of Hermandad Mexicana speaking about Hurricane Katrina in a recent Associated Press article.\nEven after the overdue federal aid poured into the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina, illegal immigrants did nothing but watch government officials hand out food and money to "legal" victims. \nThe Department of Homeland Security announced immigrants could be deported if they couldn't provide the information required to receive federal aid.\nI understand why the government has laws against illegal immigration, even though I don't agree with them, but this is the biggest natural disaster in our country's history. Laws like these should be bent to serve the greater good -- helping people. Even though these people are ridiculously considered "illegal" people, they are humans who were affected by this catastrophe just like everyone else. But for the government, following the law takes precedent over saving lives.\n"The administration's priority is to provide needed assistance: water, food, medical care, shelter," Joanna Gonzalez, a DHS spokeswoman, said in a Sept. 20 Washington Post article. "However, as we move forward with the response, we can't turn a blind eye to the law."\nThe Bush administration released a statement of its own, urging all refugees to seek help regardless of status. \nThe government is sending a mixed message. It wants illegal immigrants to get federal aid, but when they arrive at rescue stations, they'll receive the added bonus of a deportation hearing. I guess the federal aid is just a parting gift. \nThere have already been cases of immigrants who went to receive federal aid only to be reported to Immigration and Naturalization Services. It sounds like a trap, and illegal immigrants aren't taking the bait, not even those with U.S.-born children.\nMany illegal immigrants are receiving support from the Red Cross and various Christian charities, but that's not enough. These Christian charities can only help for so long. Their pockets are not as deep as the government's.\nThe Bush administration is under fire from various Latino groups who have spoken out demanding the government allow illegal immigrants to receive aid without fear of deportation. The government must pass a law that will allow illegal immigrants access to at least some aid during times of national disasters. In the face of tragedy, all victims should be helped. Not just the legal ones.