Illegal immigrants affected by hurricanes aren't eligible for emergency cash grants, but if they show up with the proper identification documents, they can obtain federal aid for their U.S.-born children or other relatives without being asked about their own immigration status, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

In the wake of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, federal officials have explained exactly how the families of illegal immigrants can receive federal aid.

According to the Miami Herald, the feds acted in response to complaints from Honduran Unity head Joss Lagos, who went to Washington last week and told federal immigration officials that undocumented immigrants feared seeking federal help because they were afraid to approach federal relief agencies for fear of being deported.

He added that illegal immigrants needed to be reassured by the government that they would not be detained and deported while seeking aid.

On Monday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued statements reassuring those undocumented immigrants seeking hurricane aid that they needn't worry about their immigration status, Dan Kane, a spokesman for USCIS, told the Herald.

USCIS assured illegal aliens seeking help that they will not be asked about their immigration status or asked to sign documents regarding immigration status.

"I'm happy they have issued these statements," Lagos told the Herald Tuesday night. "They will go a long way to reassure undocumented people who were fearful."

Though undocumented immigrants are not entitled to cash or unemployment disaster aid, they can benefit from it if they have U.S.-born children or other members of their household who are U.S. citizens or legally in the country.

"You may ... apply on behalf of your U.S. citizen child, or another adult household member may qualify the household for assistance," the statement said. It added that so-called "qualified aliens" - those with a green card, refugee or asylee status, parole into the U.S. for at least one year, conditional entry or a withholding of deportation - can apply for aid.

Justo Hernández, deputy federal coordinating officer for FEMA disasters in Florida, told the Herald that the illegals also can use a license or passport from their home country.

FEMA will direct undocumented migrants with no eligible relatives to private groups that can help, such as the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities Farmworkers' Ministry or Lutheran Services of Florida.

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