How ICE raids and federal immigration policies are impacting Puerto Rico

One hundred and sixty-six days ago, the first large-scale immigration raid in Donald Trump’s campaign against illegal immigrants took place in Puerto Rico. On January 26, 47 residents were arrested in San Juan, the capital city, where immigrant communities have been transformed since then. Although Puerto Rico has its own local constitution, it falls under federal immigration laws. Therefore, the revocation of visas and temporary residency programs under the Trump administration has directly affected residents and undocumented individuals in Puerto Rico and other US territories. 

The neighborhood of Barrio Obrero, located in the capital city of San Juan, is home to a large percentage of Puerto Rico’s Dominican community. Once a lively and bustling neighborhood, the immigrant area is now significantly quieter in the months since deportation raids began. This is a result of months of federal immigration raids ordered by President Trump and his administration. A reverend of San Pablo Methodist Church told El País that San Juan has become “a city under siege — you never know when they’re going to come and arrest you, sometimes without a warrant or any explanation. It’s terrifying.” For many families, they are too scared to open their doors to receive food packages that the church and volunteers have helped pack. 

Under the Trump administration, a major concern stems from the reversal of federal programs, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS offered legal relief for immigrants fleeing natural disasters or conflict. These individuals entered the US legally and were granted status; however, their visas have now been revoked, and fear has spread among immigrant communities after this overnight change. 

According to ICE, 445 people have been detained in Puerto Rico since the operations began. Of these, approximately 72% are Dominican citizens, and the rest are a combination of Haitians, Venezuelans, Mexicans, and other nationalities. While the number of undocumented residents of Puerto Rico is unknown, ICE’s top investigator on the islands, Rebecca González-Ramos, estimates as high as 20,000 individuals. Overall, the islands are home to more than 90,000 immigrants, a number that underscores the impact federal immigration policies have on the territory. 

For example, the Puerto Rico College of Surgeons has been working to provide health services to immigrants, no matter what their legal status is. However, these initiatives continue to face immense challenges. One particular telling indicator of the distress is education. As José Rodríguez, president of the Dominican Committee of Human Rights, states, “They’re panicking …They’re afraid to go out; they’re afraid to take their children to school.” At its lowest, some communities reported 70% absenteeism in schools, with parents fearing exposure simply by sending children outside. 

As immigration policy continues to evolve, the situation in Puerto Rico offers a stark lens into the tangible effects of federal actions on vulnerable populations living in the margins of US governance, both geographically and politically.