In a difficult time for the Hispanic population—both in terms of immigration and climate—Enlace Latino NC has created specially curated content to assist the community in their preferred language.
These are two free, digital, interactive guides in Spanish designed to close the information gap on two major challenges facing the Latino community this year: the federal government’s harsh immigration policies and hurricane season.
“We know that dealing with immigration issues or suffering the consequences of a natural disaster can be overwhelming, but we want our readers to know they are not alone. That’s why we created these guides, which not only are written in their preferred language but also have a question-and-answer format that functions as an ongoing dialogue,” said Paola Jaramillo, founder and executive editor of Enlace Latino NC.
Both guides are based on the concerns shared by community members through in-person events, our WhatsApp channel, newsletters, and social media.
Guide for Immigrants in Difficult Times
At both the federal and state levels in North Carolina, immigrants are facing a hostile environment. Mass deportations, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant legislation are instilling fear in our community.
In this context, the Guide for Immigrants in Difficult Times is designed to provide support and clarity.
“It includes information to answer the questions our community is asking, such as where to find free immigration attorneys or how to locate someone detained by ICE,” said Walter Gómez, co-founder and editor at Enlace Latino NC.
As Nicolás Baintrub, the journalist in charge of the guide, explained, it is a constantly evolving resource. “As we receive new questions, we do our best to gather information and add it. We work under the premise that one person’s question can be of great help to the rest of the community. We’re here to support one another.”
Hurricane Preparedness Guide
Continuing a project launched in 2021, Prepárate NC is Enlace Latino NC’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide. The 2025 hurricane season has just begun on the East Coast.
“Access to accurate and timely hurricane planning information in our native language is crucial for mitigating risks and recovering more quickly,” said Jaramillo.
To help close the information gap on natural disasters, the guide addresses the needs expressed by Hispanic families affected by hurricanes in various parts of North Carolina during a series of community meetings with Enlace Latino NC.
“In the face of a natural disaster, having understandable information can, in many cases, mean the difference between life and death for Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants—especially in rural areas of North Carolina,” Gómez said.
Baintrub emphasized the importance of having verified information from reliable sources. “To ensure the quality of the content, we used official documents from federal and state agencies, interviews with local authorities, and testimonies from community leaders experienced in disaster response.”
>>> Disaster, Immigration Fear, and Economic Crisis: How the Latino Community Survives in the Mountains
What Kind of Information Will You Find in the Hurricane Preparedness Guide?
When it comes to preparing before a hurricane hits, Prepárate NC includes practical recommendations such as how to minimize home damage, the most convenient evacuation routes, how to safeguard important documents, the location of hurricane shelters, and how to get flood insurance to potentially save thousands of dollars in repairs.
For the impact phase, the guide features materials on how to reach shelters, the safest actions to take if the power goes out, and what to do if streets are flooded.
For the aftermath, Prepárate NC provides information on how to return home safely, make repairs, claim flood insurance, access temporary housing, and seek assistance from both government and nonprofit organizations.
“We know the disproportionate impact of natural disasters on the Latino community is a structural issue,” said Baintrub. “Language barriers, economic inequality, mistrust of authorities, and transportation challenges are just a few of the factors negatively affecting our people. These issues must be addressed comprehensively. Prepárate NC does not aim to solve all historical inequalities—it simply aims to be a tool to minimize risks and support recovery.”
As Jaramillo noted, recovery and learning to navigate the system isn’t easy for anyone—but it’s even harder for members of the Latino community. “Prepárate NC is a guide, a roadmap, a toolbox: our humble contribution to help Latino and Hispanic families in North Carolina weather the storm.”
PODCAST
Después de la tormenta
Hace un año, el huracán Helene golpeó al oeste de Carolina del Norte. La comunidad latina respondió con algo más fuerte que la tormenta: solidaridad.
🎧 En este episodio, conoce cómo las organizaciones latinas transformaron la crisis en resiliencia.
▶️ ¡Dale play para escuchar!
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