Ineligible for federal aid, ‘unqualified’ immigrants in disaster zone face enormous barriers to recovery
FEMA provides cash aid only to citizens and ‘qualified immigrants,’ a category that doesn’t include undocumented people, many on temporary visas or DACA recipients.
Recent Posts
OPSB approves $15M disaster recovery contract for post-Ida repair work
The contract amount was increased from $500,000 approved earlier this year.
Council committee advances several accountability measures related to Entergy and Hurricane Ida
Among the measures was one calling for a study of Entergy New Orleans ownership and control. All items will have to go before the full council.
Hurricane Ida revealed Entergy’s misplaced investments, critics say
A lack of investment in hardening the grid and the unfulfilled promises of a new gas plant leave regulators asking whether the utility should have done more.
29 NOLA Public Schools found to have Hurricane Ida damage
The district has hired contractors to complete “environmental clearance” assessments at 20 schools before students are allowed to return.
‘Do I even qualify?’: Deadline looms for $500 FEMA aid following Ida
The deadline for Louisiana residents impacted by Hurricane Ida to apply for Critical Needs Assistance from FEMA is Wednesday, Sept. 22. But applicants’ experiences have varied widely, leaving many to wonder what makes someone eligible for the aid.
In first post-Ida data release, NOLA Public Schools reports 33 COVID-19 cases
Many schools required a negative COVID-19 test to return to the classroom.
PODCAST
Behind The Lens episode 143: ‘For now, there’s nowhere to go’
Entergy faces questions from the council. Some schools have reopened after the storm. A ‘gritty reality series’ in the New Orleans jail angers some civil rights advocates. And immigrants face steep obstacles getting post-hurricane aid.
opinion
Our community should invest in our youth
When a young person makes a mistake, we need to look at our decisions and how we react. Should we try to support and rehabilitate them, or simply lock them up and throw away the key?
I want my vote back!
Jason Williams is just an example of everything wrong with a system that continues to target the most vulnerable populations in our community: Black and brown youth.
City Council races must tackle issue of regulating Entergy
All candidates should speak up and speak often about their plans for improving the regulation of Entergy and setting equitable energy policies for the people of New Orleans.
It’s time to lend your voice to the coastal conversation
The water isn’t going anywhere. We must all learn to live and work with it.
About the Lens
The Lens aims to engage and empower the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We provide the information and analysis necessary to advocate for more accountable and just governance.