Puerto Rico no longer illegal migrant safe haven under President Trump: expert

Puerto Rico, once considered a safe haven for illegal immigrants, is now under increased scrutiny by the Trump administration. According to immigration experts, the U.S. island territory has long been a favored location for evading immigration restrictions.

Since deportation operations in Puerto Rico intensified on Jan. 26, over 200 individuals have been arrested, with 149 of them being citizens of the Dominican Republic, as reported by U.S. Customs and Immigration data provided to the Associated Press. Jose Rodriguez, the president of the Dominican Committee of Human Rights, expressed that local migrants are in a state of panic, fearing to go out or take their children to school.

The report highlighted that illegal migrants have been residing in Puerto Rico for decades without the fear of arrest. Many have been able to open bank accounts, obtain driver’s licenses, and even establish their own businesses. However, Lora Ries, the director of the Heritage Foundation Border Security and Immigration Center, stated that this has been a recurring issue with island territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.

Ries explained that these localities enable illegal immigrants to carry out various activities, making it easier for them to prolong their stay in the U.S. territory. Despite the perceived safety, illegal migrants in any U.S. territory face the same potential consequences as those on the mainland United States.

The recent crackdown on illegal migrants in Puerto Rico has shattered the belief that the territory serves as a sanctuary for them, instilling fear among the population. Ries emphasized that U.S. territories are often used as jumping-off points for illegal migrants to enter and then travel to the mainland United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has focused its efforts in Puerto Rico on individuals with a criminal record or those with a final court ruling to depart the country. However, there has been a surge in support for Puerto Rico’s illegal immigrant population, with volunteers providing meals to families too scared to leave their homes.

Ries compared the situation in Puerto Rico to that of sanctuary jurisdictions in the U.S., where local officials limit cooperation with federal authorities and prioritize illegal migrants over their own citizens. She stressed the importance of representing and prioritizing the needs of citizens over illegal immigrants.

It is essential for local officials to collaborate with federal agents and allocate resources to address the concerns of their constituents. The enforcement of immigration laws in Puerto Rico reflects the broader efforts of the Trump administration to uphold immigration regulations and ensure the safety and security of all individuals within U.S. territories.