WWL interviewed by phone two NO policemen who had evacuated to Dallas, one on Saturday (he was already injured and left with his family before the storm), and his brother, who had stayed in NO until yesterday. The one who stayed until yesterday said they had no support, no leadership, and it was every man for himself trying to do whatever the police were supposed to do. The news anchor asked later in the interview when they were planning on coming back to NO, and one said, "We're staying here. This is our new home. We're from Texas now."
Probably a quarter of a million will settle in Texas, many with family, most starting over.
Would be a good time for Gov. Perry or President Bush(or more likely Congress pushing him) to proclaim that as the situation has changed, the border must be closed to illegal immigrants. Document sweeps of construction companies. On the national level pass a law mandating that all reconstruction and relocation housing contracts bid out using fed funds for the next year must use 10, 20, 30%(whatever is practical) registered refugees. Gives those refugees a chance to earn income(any fit male under 40 or so can do construction, I've done it), instead of costlier welfare payments, and reduces rebuilding/relocation costs. Or maybe structure it as a bid bonus for each refugee hired. No sense in illegals doing this work, we're going to have plenty of able bodied male refugees. Obviously those or just rough ideas that may or may not be a realistic option, but something to think about.