Washington, DC (February 28, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) joined fellow Members of Congress and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) for the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., will hold a news briefing with the heads of several national Latino organizations to release In the Eye of the Storm: How the Government and Private Response to Hurricane Katrina Failed Latinos, a new report on the response to Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the Hispanic community.

“It was clear in the early days after Hurricane Katrina that mistakes of disastrous proportions were made at every level,” said Hinojosa.  “This report provides important insights and evaluations about the affects these mistakes had on the Hispanic community.  We already know that information was not disseminated quickly enough in multiple languages, that immigrants were fearful of seeking help because of lost or damaged papers, and that raids were conducted at shelters despite assurances otherwise.   It is my hope that the recommendations put forth in this report will be carefully evaluated and implemented.”

It is estimated that nearly a quarter of a million Hispanics in the Gulf region were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The report documents and analyzes the Hispanic community’s concerns with the relief response of not only the federal government but also of disaster “first responders” such as the American Red Cross.

Among others, the report addresses:

• Many Hispanics received inadequate information because the Administration, and relevant agencies, primarily FEMA and DHS, were rigid and inconsistent in interpreting, modifying, and communicating policy;
• Do hurricane warnings reach everyone? Are they provided in multiple languages?;
• The reluctance of immigrants to ask for help;
• The American Red Cross’ role in relief; and,
• The Plight of workers in Katrina recovery and reconstruction.