FEMA’s missteps responding to Puerto Rico

When the Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County marks its 25th anniversary with a march in Bridgeport Sunday, it will feature music, dancers, traditional food and draw families, politicians and, undoubtedly, a dose of racist asides.

The anniversary celebration comes as many Americans are finally starting to figure out that the island is a U.S. territory (and has been for 120 years). Along with the devastating damage Hurricane Maria wrought upon the commonwealth, it also delivered lessons in history and current events to the mainland.

Such context matters in Connecticut, where the 2010 Census revealed we are the state with the highest percentage of the population with Puerto Rican roots. Connecticut has a stranglehold on that top spot, as 7.1 percent of the state population is well ahead of runner-up New York’s 5.5 percent.

These facts aren’t just important for gutless online trollers to ignore. Apparently, a fair share of federal officials seems to favor treating the storm’s survivors as suspicious foreigners.

After months of tepid recovery responses, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still acting as though Puerto Rican survivors have a dubious claim on the need for aid. The agency set June 30 as the expiration date for a temporary shelter program, only to have a federal judge force them to push the date back to July 23.

On the eve of Independence Day last week, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, urged FEMA to provide more assistance.

“We should be really proud of Connecticut for opening its arms to these fellow Americans,” Blumenthal said. “But it’s not enough for Connecticut to do it, the federal government has to do its share.”

Connecticut’s response is worth celebrating at the parade. Officials estimate there are still 21 of Puerto Rico’s citizens dwelling in Connecticut hotels, while hundreds of others bunk with relatives and friends.

Leaders in Connecticut’s cities are seeing the impact on local school populations. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said some 500 students enrolled in his city’s schools mid-year.

Blumenthal kept ringing the same bell, that FEMA should activate the Disaster Housing Assistance Program used for survivors of recent hurricanes such as Katrina and Sandy. FEMA officials seem to see a difference in the victims of these storms.

The agency’s response late Tuesday included the tone-deaf suggestion that hurricane survivors have the option to “take advantage” of free air fare back to Puerto Rico.

Here’s the catch. FEMA took months to provide generators to schools in Puerto Rico. As of last week, more than 260 schools were shuttering their doors permanently. No one rushes home when the lights are out.

“They can’t return if there is no schooling for their kids,” Blumenthal said. “Can you imagine if 260 schools were closed here? Imagine the demonstrations in the streets if power was still intermittently off.”

We can. There would be marches across the country. Not of celebration, but of fury unleashed at the dysfunction of the U.S. government.

As of last week, more than 260 schools were shuttering their doors permanently. No one rushes home when the lights are out.