Why should an epic emergency affecting Americans devastated by a hurricane dampen the left’s anti-Trump agenda?
The city of Houston took a Twitter cue from the president as it crushed rumors that illegal immigrants seeking refuge at shelters would have to present immigration papers or disclose their immigration status.
City of Houston: Rumor of immigration checks at storm shelters is FALSE. https://t.co/7brhEEy71d
— Morning Express (@MorningExp) August 29, 2017
“We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at the shelter. This rumor is FALSE!” the city tweeted Monday after unfounded rumors began circulating. The Trump-esque response, complete with an all-caps and exclamation adorned “FALSE!” was repeated in Spanish by the city of Houston as well.
No vamos a pedir documentos ni estatus migratorio en ningun albergue este rumor es FALSO!
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) August 29, 2017
We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at any shelter. This rumor is FALSE!
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) August 29, 2017
Though no one came forward to reveal sources of the rumors, those looking for a way to push their anti-Trump rhetoric appear to know no bounds in making even an act of nature become a platform for politics.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz shut down MSNBC liberals when an interview discussion about assistance for displaced residents turned to an attack on his record of voting against federal aid for Hurricane Sandy victims.
MSNBC’s Katy Tur tries to burn Ted Cruz in heat of the TX disaster; bet she won’t try that again https://t.co/3m7ZOfp0dH pic.twitter.com/PZlGAeMShi
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 29, 2017
Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner also reassured illegal immigrants that they should feel confident seeking help at area shelters.
“There is no reason why anyone should not call, and I and others will be the first ones to stand up with you,” the Democrat mayor who is also a lawyer told reporters Monday, according to ABC News. “If someone comes and they require help and then for some reason [someone] tries to deport them, I will represent them myself.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency even addressed the question on an online information page dedicated to Hurricane Harvey. Immigration enforcement was not being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement nor Customs and Border Protection at shelters or food banks, according to FEMA which had a section titled, “Rumor Control” on the site.
“The Federal Government strongly encourages all persons to follow the guidance of local officials and seek shelter regardless of their immigration status,” FEMA stated, noting that most shelters are run by the American Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies which seek to provide “support without regard to race, religion, or citizenship status.”
Social media users appeared to confirm Houston’s tweet, noting that only basic contact information was being required at shelters.
I’ve been working at an area shelter for the last 2 days. I never say anyone asked for anything but basic contact information.
— Texas Democrat (@TXDemocrat) August 29, 2017
Hurricane Harvey continued to dump record rain on an already flooded Houston and other parts of Texas hit by the category 4 storm since it made landfall on Friday.
Social media has played a major role in getting information out in real time to everyone from evacuees, rescue teams and the rest of the world looking to help. It appears now that government officials also needed to take to Twitter to quell rumors started by those who bent on hurting President Trump at the expense of disaster victims.
Tensions and comments poured out on Twitter.
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There are times when we just have to be brothers and sisters. This is one of those times.
— Chris Nummy (@ChrisNummy) August 29, 2017
One. ONE tweet in Spanish since Harvey started. Are you talking to ppl afraid to go to shelters?!?! I’ll “relax” when there’s communication.
— Charlie (@charolyn_) August 29, 2017
Chill! Staff & volunteers are overwhelmed here. If you want a tweet in Spanish, translate & tweet yourself. #TakeSomeInitiative!
— Texas Democrat (@TXDemocrat) August 29, 2017
It seems to me that rounding up illegals is the last thing on officials minds right now.
— Normi Shamblin (@RtisticOne) August 29, 2017
The left is spreading more fake news. https://t.co/ZzF5HRDhnO
— AM1590 TheAnswer (@Freedom1590AM) August 29, 2017
Really NBC ? You have to politicize a tragedy ? When we thought you couldn’t get any lower, you dig the hole deeper !
— Needamerica1101 (@Needamerica1) August 29, 2017
Who would have started this “rumor”? Texans in that area are too busy helping each other and taking care of themselves.
— arizona mommy (@azwthrnerdgal) August 29, 2017
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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