The Hurricane Katrina Welcome Center, recently relocated to the state office building at 80 Centre Street, is meant to serve as a reassuring entry point for survivors of a storm. Last Thursday, a security guard stationed at the door helped direct visitors. “Right over there,” he said. “They’re waiting for you.”

But for immigrant evacuees, advocates say, even finding the Welcome Center may be a challenge. “Some immigrants are not receiving the benefits of most Katrina evacuees because they don’t know that they exist,” said Javier Vald