The Department of Homeland Security said California residents evacuating from wildfires and seeking shelter in evacuation centers would not be subjected to routine immigration enforcement.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are concerned about the potential impact of the California wildfires in portions of the state,” DHS said in a statement today. “Our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety. In consideration of these circumstances, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to the wildfires, except in the event of a serious public safety threat.”
The Kindcaid Fire in Sonoma County was only 5 percent contained this morning with 21,900 acres burned, according to CalFire. The Tick Fire east of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County was also only 5 percent contained, with 4,300 acres burned.
Tens of thousands of residents north of Los Angeles are under evacuation orders. In Northern California, the town of Geyserville was evacuated and the National Weather Service is warning of wind gusts up to 80 mph this weekend.
