Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be arresting or detaining illegal immigrants in North Carolina and South Carolina who are fleeing from Hurricane Florence, according to an agency spokesperson.
“Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety,” Bryan Cox, a spokesperson for ICE, said in a Wednesday email to The News & Observer. “In consideration of these circumstances, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to Florence, except in the event of a serious public safety threat.”
Those seeking emergency shelter in North Carolina are reportedly not being required to show identification for help. However, a majority of shelters in South Carolina are requiring identification in order to keep a number of how many people used the shelters.
Hurricane Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, Friday morning. The Category 1 hurricane brought 90 mph winds, bringing in heavy rain and serious winds. Rescuers have already saved hundreds trapped by the storm. Close to 500,000 people in the two states are without electricity. (RELATED: ‘Life-Threatening Storm Surges’: Hurricane Florence Slams Into North Carolina)
Florence is expected to continue southwest before turning northwest on Saturday.
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