Puerto Rico used to be a place where undocumented immigrants felt they did not have to fear detainment. They could open bank accounts, get a driver’s license, and even start their own business. That was until January 26, when the ICE began to raid Dominican communities.
As of June, about 500 Dominican migrants were arrested in Barrio Obrero. ICE reported that out of those 500 people, only 80 of them had a criminal record. Yet, about 20,000 immigrants live in Puerto Rico, and ICE intends to find immigrants to deport. This is all because of Trump’s policies to rid the nation of people who have entered illegally. In fact, his focus on deportation can help him reach his goal of removing 1 million immigrants in a year. These arrests primarily occur among the working class. ICE, through its investigation of Puerto Rican residents, has made many fearful. Restaurants close earlier, and fewer people are going to church.
“Everyone talks about the immigración (Immigration Agents),” NPR stated
The mass deportation occurring in Puerto Rico has angered many Puerto Ricans. As a result, the Puerto Rican community has sided against Trump’s policies. Three-quarters of those detained are from the Dominican Republic. Many of them share the same ethnic background, language, and even culture. They have become ingrained in the Puerto Rican community. Dominicans have served a variety of occupations, from construction workers to lawyers. Thus, the citizens of Puerto Rico view ICE’s actions as an insult. The Puerto Rican government faced criticism when a Dominican construction worker died at a job site.
“He fell from a roof where he had been hiding from immigration agents,” the New York Times stated.
A notable example of protest against deportation includes several bishops expressing concern. They have even called President Donald Trump’s actions “immoral.” Furthermore, Bad Bunny has gone on Instagram to show his disapproval of deportation.
‘They came here… Instead of leaving the people alone and working,” he had said on social media.
This places him next to fellow artists such as Katy Perry, Billie Joel Armstrong, Ivan Cornejo, and Finneas. Despite backlash, Puerto Rico’s governor, Jennifer González-Colón, said she would not oppose deportations. She cites the territory’s need to have access to federal funds and how Puerto Rico “cannot afford” to risk losing this.
Ms. Rebecca González-Ramos is the ICE agent who is in charge of Homeland Security in Puerto Rico. She vows to find people who lack immigration status, proclaiming that they “need to be removed or deported.” Indeed, the Puerto Rican government has given the federal authorities data. This information is on 6,000 driver’s licenses distributed to unauthorized immigrants. Many Dominicans worry that they will be arrested for their skin being darker than most Puerto Ricans. However, Ms. González-Ramos denied that federal agents are arresting individuals based on their skin color, claiming her agents only focus on finding those who have entered the territory illegally. Later on, ICE will investigate immigration violations on those suspected of marriage, identity, or benefits fraud.
Puerto Rico was able to shield the undocumented from deportation. It was a place that could provide immigrants with opportunities. With the ICE Raids in Puerto Rico, it can no longer do so. Those undocumented in Puerto Rico are subject to removal per the Trump Administration’s aims of mass deportation.
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So 16% of the 500 have already been caught committing crimes & been returned to our streets without being deported? This doesn’t mean that “only” 16% are involved in criminal activity, & also says nothing about crimes they may have committed at home where they belong, before fleeing here to escape justice.
Enter through a port of entry, identify yourself and we will check your background. This shows respect for us and our laws & earns you documentation of legal entry to our community. Continue to show respect for the people & laws of this land & we will love you & accept you as one of our own. Trespassing with disregard for our laws shows disrespect for the laws and the people of PR. When you spit in our face in this way, it’s time for you to go home.
It’s really this simple.
Puerto Ricans need jobs too. If a man who is trespassing here taking a job that could have been done by a Puerto Rican falls while hiding from justice, that is truly a shame, but he himself made the choices that put him in that spot. We have laws & are required to enforce them.
Young man, you speak as if you are the voice of Puerto Rico & say that we want trespassers to be treated with the same open arms & love as our citizens & our guests who arrive in a respectful honest manner. I’m a Puerto Rican who rejects your foolish assumption. We follow our laws & expect our guests to do the same or we send them home. Stop bashing our law enforcement for working hard to protect our community.