Illegal immigrants stayed during Hurricane Gustav

Below, a reminder of how enredado the contradictory interplay of US immigration policies, on-the-ground enforcement, and resulting human incentives are.

From the AP:

Many of the illegal immigrants who have been rebuilding New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina stayed behind when Gustav struck because they were afraid of being arrested if they boarded the buses and trains arranged by emergency officials.

"We know that people died during Katrina, but we had no choice but to stay here," said Carlos Mendoza, a 21-year-old illegal immigrant from Honduras who rode out the storm with seven other people. They took shelter in an apartment that is close to a street corner where day laborers congregate.

"Many stayed because of fear," Mendoza said. "I would say at least 50 percent of us."

Adding to the difficulties, Gonzalez said, were problems with the 311 service. Several day laborers complained of being on hold for more than 30 minutes before getting connected with a Spanish-speaking operator.

And when illegal immigrants realized they would be asked to register to be evacuated, the situation became even more untenable, she said. Part of the evacuation plan included giving evacuees wristbands with identifying information that could be entered into a computer database to track where people were.

The Department of Homeland Security made attempts to reassure area residents that there would be no enforcement during the evacuation, but to little avail. I can't help but think of a chronically abused stray dog who is finally offered a friendly pet on the head - and, of course, flinches.