A federal judge in Puerto Rico has temporarily blocked the transfer of a Dominican immigrant outside of the island’s jurisdiction. The decision came after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Puerto Rico filed an emergency habeas corpus petition.
Legal Challenge
The ACLU argued that the detention of Martín Medina de la Cruz was “illegal, arbitrary and lacking a valid legal basis,” and that the federal government intended to transfer him outside the jurisdiction of the Federal Court in Puerto Rico. This, the organization stated, would further harm his due process and access to legal representation.
Medina de la Cruz has also been granted a bond hearing. According to an order issued by Federal Judge Gina Méndez Miró, the government is prohibited from transferring him outside of Puerto Rico. The bond hearing is scheduled for no later than February 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. before an immigration judge.
Concerns of Profiling
The ACLU further contends that Medina de la Cruz, along with two other Dominican nationals, were targeted by federal agents while at a supermarket in an area with a high concentration of Dominican residents. The organization alleges this targeting was motivated by racial profiling, a practice prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.
Julie Cruz Santana, Medina de la Cruz’s immigration attorney, stated, “This determination should serve as an example and alert to agents and federal officials who insist on locking up immigrant people who qualify for humanitarian protection processes, instead of guaranteeing them a fair evaluation and real access to their rights, such as a bond hearing in the jurisdiction where they are detained.”
Annette Martínez Orabona, Executive Director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, affirmed, “From Puerto Rico, we will continue to confront and fight against the discriminatory anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration. We will not allow our jurisdiction to be a point of intervention and accelerated transfer of migrants, limiting the right to legal representation, subjecting them to inhumane treatment and endangering their lives.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the ACLU to file the habeas corpus petition?
The ACLU filed the petition because they believed the detention of Martín Medina de la Cruz was illegal, arbitrary, and lacked a valid legal basis, and that his potential transfer outside of Puerto Rico would violate his due process rights.
What is the significance of the bond hearing?
The bond hearing will allow Medina de la Cruz to argue for his release while his immigration case is pending. The ACLU argues he is not a flight risk or a danger to the community.
What does the court order prevent the government from doing?
The court order prevents the government from transferring Martín Medina de la Cruz outside of Puerto Rico until his bond hearing, which is scheduled for February 2, 2026.
As this case proceeds, will the outcome influence future immigration enforcement tactics in Puerto Rico?
