The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released its report examining FEMA’s compliance with federal civil rights laws in Texas and Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Harvey and María in 2017. The Commission found that FEMA may have violated its mandate under federal law to act in an “equitable and impartial manner.” The report noted that its findings were limited because FEMA does not collect sufficient demographic data on how federal assistance is distributed. However, the report cited “lack of preparedness, staffing issues, data tracking failures, lack of transparency . . . language access issues, and the lack of collaboration with nongovernmental organizations and community partners” as primary reasons for the inadequate response.
The report included findings from a hearing the Commission held on Dec. 20, 2021 specifically addressing the civil rights implications of the federal response and impact of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.