Bono Mack pleads to Capitol Hill for East Valley evacuee protection

Andres Pena lives at the Duroville Mobile Home Park in Thermal. He says his home wasn’t severely damaged by the heavy rains and flooding this week, but others weren’t so lucky.

“Living in Duros is not really possible to do. We’re trying to get as much help as we can,” he said.

Many of his neighbors are seeking that help from the evacuation center at Desert Mirage High School.

“They know they are safe. They know they have a comfortable place to stay,” said Kathy Ashkins, the American Red Cross associate director of development.

However, some emergency volunteers warn, that sense of security hasn’t been the case. They say Mecca and Thermal residents have been fleeing the emergency shelter because they’re intimidated by what Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack says is, “The mere presence of the Border Patrol agents.”

“They really do need the help. They’re just trying to come here, trying to get the food, trying to get a place to sleep at night, but they’re too scared,” said Pena.

That’s why Bono Mack wrote a letter to the White House on Friday, asking President Obama and Homeland Security to look into the matter. To ensure those displaced from the flood can safely get access to basic resources, like clean water and food.

There was no word on if, or how many evacuees have been stopped by the agents.

“We operate under immigration law. Every single case will be different. I’ll go back to telling you especially in times of need, we really care what happens to the community. We’re always there to help them. Every case is different. There is no two cases alike,” said Fabian Morales, of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Customs agents.

For now, Andres is bringing help from the shelter home.

“I’ll get some food, put it in the car, we’ll drive over there and see if I can hand some out,” he said.