You're watching...

Sandy's Forgotten Victims: Undocumented Immigrants

Details

  • Description

    Undocumented immigrants reeling after Superstorm Sandy say they've been abandoned by the US government.

  • Duration 3:18
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

This is rolling now Rodriguez's Staten Island -- a basement on livable today after hurricane sandy made landfall just a quarter mile away.

My wife says -- we have tried to stay we wouldn't escape.

The -- -- basement home lies in the yard walls and ceilings to warn furniture destroyed kids' toys throw in what were makeshift bedrooms.

An -- an undocumented immigrant from Mexico has lost everything.

-- -- We have to start new little by little -- just having -- -- he and show enough to start all over again.

-- family is like countless numbers of undocumented immigrants super storm sandy victims who feel for a guy and after the storm.

With no insurance no Social Security number undocumented immigrants are choosing to rebuild on their own.

Rather than risk deportation.

Because they -- the federal government won't help them.

And then there will be yeah engines story.

In general -- Mexican population has more than doubled since 2000 on Staten Island contributing to the economy and culture.

-- valuable Manges as being the owner of black and nonstop for the last ten years his business was flooded by Cindy and he says undocumented immigrants like himself.

Aren't visible after the storm.

Yeah just because I don't have a Social Security number if you were told me -- don't qualify for disaster relief and that's unfortunate pay taxes have employees.

In this case to ignore us but.

-- -- -- -- -- says he can't wait for government aid he must work around the clock to reopen to get things back to normal for his employees.

We can't -- wait any longer certainly pleased him rent their families we have to started on that.

Employees like his coach said he'll -- the -- who was the only provider.

For his sixteen year old son suffering from a rare form of brain cancer back in Mexico.

Use your regularly but I -- his only hope.

I have to keep sending him the Monday sending the money sending the -- and that's why we're working hard we can get to work quickly.

There is no what the choice.

And fear and confusion are rampant in the immigrant community over whether or not FEMA will help them.

Or deport them.

Just take a look at this yellow FEMA -- advising residents in English and Spanish.

So bring their Social Security numbers first.

Scaring away undocumented immigrants bought according to FEMA undocumented immigrants looking for assistance will not be deported.

And are eligible for a crisis counseling and short term non cash emergency care like food clothing and temporary shelter.

Only if a family has a child born in the US can -- documented immigrants be eligible for 100% of -- help.

Those who don't have children born in the US will unfortunately lose their clothing their home goods their Holmes and everything else.

-- assurance Fox News they're trying to get all the information out there.

Regardless immigrants like -- say they'll rebuild after all.

They'd been through this before -- element here right here with nothing in your hands as slowly but surely -- lift ourselves up.

In Staten Island New York Brian -- Fox News.