Agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out the first raid against immigrants in Puerto Rico following the order of President Donald Trump. The operation took place in the Barrio Obrero area in San Juan, a region with a large Dominican community on the island, which is a U.S. Territory.
In a statement, ICE reported that in collaboration with federal agencies of the U.S. Department of Justice, they are enforcing the Executive Order of Protection of the American People Against the Invasion, with the aim of identifying and apprehending individuals who pose a threat and fulfilling the objectives of the order.
Although details regarding the number of detentions made in Puerto Rico have not been disclosed, it is noted that the primary immigrant community on the island is Dominican. Recently, ICE announced the detention of 538 undocumented criminal immigrants and the deportation of an unspecified number of individuals in an operation against irregular immigration ordered by Trump.
The U.S. president has promised to carry out the "largest mass deportation operation in history" since taking office recently. Puerto Rico, separated from the Dominican Republic by the Mona Canal, frequently receives boats with Dominican and Haitian migrants.
