r/EmergencyManagement • u/Smokey_tha_bear9000 • 4d ago

ICE at disasters

Hey friends,

There’s been some growing concern in my world from shelter managers becoming concerned about the potential for ICE to show up at Hurricane/emergency shelters. There was a Biden administration directive that was supposed to prevent immigration raids etc from occurring during natural disasters. Our local leadership has expressed the idea that this shouldn’t be a problem.

But with yesterday’s arrests of wildland firefighters AT a wildfire in Washington, it appears that nowhere is safe anymore.

Be safe out there and look out for each other and especially those that we serve.

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86

u/NolaApex 4d ago

I hadn’t heard of those arrests but that is negligent to me. Pulling emergency workers from an active scene is inviting animosity and legal action. 

Given the current atmosphere we find ourselves in though, how would we stop them?  How do you physically stop agents from entering your shelter? 

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u/Smokey_tha_bear9000 4d ago

Hard to say. We are truly in unprecedented times in America.

I can muse at what I might do but when the rubber meets the road I don’t really know how it would go. Would I lose my job? Probably. But at least I’ll have a clear conscience.

15

u/kiipii 4d ago

I'd be surprised if any jurisdictions successfully prevent ICE from going into an emergency shelter more than once. There needs to be a clear policy directive from elected officials, and local LE needs to be made aware.

10

u/radium_bunny 4d ago

Yea two indigenous firefighters were illegally detained by ICE. Unfortunately that 100mi of the coast/ports/borders means most of Washington is fair game for these facists.

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u/kevinj67 3d ago

You mean illegal immigrants.
The federal government nor any employer cannot hire illegal immigrants per federal law.
These two illegal immigrants were working for a contractor under a federal government contract which is not allowed. Thus their arrest. Pretty simple

8

u/fariasrv 3d ago

What part of "indigenous" don't you understand, you blithering imbecile?

THEY WERE HERE FIRST, DIPSHIT.

-1

u/CommanderAze Federal 3d ago

Reminder to be nice.

You're not wrong but please abide by the rules of the subreddit.

3

u/Hotarg 2d ago

So if you're having a heart attack, you would have no problem with the EMT being detained as a possible illegal immigrant instead of saving your life, right?

5

u/Fires_of_Mt_Shroom 3d ago

How does that boot leather taste? ICE is well known to arrest and hold brown people that are actually citizens.

-4

u/kevinj67 3d ago

Such a child. Like I said. Fake news!

3

u/viciousheeler 4d ago

If it’s not public property they do not have any right to enter the premises. You can deny them entry.

1

u/Medium_Ad9022 11h ago

Except DHS just put in place new grant terms for any org that receives funding. Can’t serve immigrants and have to allow ICE. So if any of those shelters are going to get any form of assistance, likely FEMA reimbursements they are in a pickle. Washington Post recently did an article on how VOADs and ngos are worried how this new policy will limit their abilities in many ways. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/08/27/dhs-fema-undocumented-immigrants-aid-groups-grants/

5

u/someguyinadisaster 4d ago

I wonder if there are 4th amendment protections since they are “living” there.

20

u/Smokey_tha_bear9000 4d ago

This was sort of discussed here a while back in the context of what is the legal mechanism that municipalities can block journalist access to inside of hurricane shelters. Shelters are considered restricted access and or temporary residences and are not considered public spaces, even when situated on what is normally considered public property.