They carry out the first raid against immigrants in Puerto Rico after Trump’s order

• First Raid in Puerto Rico
• ICE Enforces Trump’s Executive Order
• Dominicans Arrive on the Island

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted its first raid against immigrants in Puerto Rico this Sunday, following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order.

The operation took place in Barrio Obrero, a San Juan neighborhood known as the heart of the Dominican community on the island.

This intervention is part of the implementation of the Executive Order for the Protection of the American People Against Invasion, signed on January 20, 2025.

ICE, along with the Department of Justice, defended the raid as a measure to detain individuals deemed a threat to national security.

First Raid in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, functioning as a United States Commonwealth, is home to a significant population of immigrants, mostly of Dominican origin.

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The Mona Passage, which separates the island from the Dominican Republic, is a frequently used route for boats carrying migrants from that country and Haiti.

The intervention in Barrio Obrero has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear within the immigrant community in Puerto Rico.

Residents of the area reported a large deployment of federal agents early in the morning, leaving a visible impact on the neighborhood.

“We feel persecuted and abandoned. We just want to work and contribute, but now we live in constant fear,” said a Dominican merchant.

According to a statement issued by ICE two days ago, 538 immigrants with criminal records were detained as part of a broader operation against irregular immigration.

Additionally, “hundreds” of deportations have been reported across the United States.

The Trump administration has stated that these raids are part of its promise to carry out “the largest mass deportation operation in history.”

The executive order also aims to expedite deportation processes and tighten measures against irregular immigration.

In Puerto Rico, the immigrant community is vital to various economic sectors, including construction, agriculture, and services.

However, the new immigration policies have raised concerns among business owners and community leaders.

They fear that these measures could destabilize the island’s social and economic fabric.

Experts note that this raid marks a turning point in U.S. immigration policy toward Puerto Rico.

Although the island shares a unique relationship with the United States as a Commonwealth, migrants arriving there face the same legal restrictions as in other states.

The executive order has also sparked reactions in the political sphere.

Immigrant rights groups have criticized the measure, calling it inhumane and disproportionate.

In contrast, the Trump administration argues that these actions are necessary to protect American citizens.

The Dominican community in Puerto Rico, which has significantly contributed to the island’s cultural and economic development, now finds itself at the center of a controversy that could intensify social tensions.

On the other hand, analysts warn that these raids could have a counterproductive effect by fostering fear and isolation within immigrant communities.

This could hinder their integration and cooperation with local authorities, according to the EFE agency.

With this raid, the Trump administration sends a strong message about its immigration policies.

Meanwhile, uncertainty grows in Puerto Rico regarding the future of thousands of immigrants who consider the island their home.

The coming days will be crucial for assessing the social, economic, and political impact of these measures in Puerto Rico.

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