In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump‘s vow to implement mass deportations, worries and uncertainty are rising among immigrant communities in Puerto Rico. Leaders of the Dominican, Haitian, and Venezuelan communities on the island have been warning of the growing anxiety among their members, and many are turning to these leaders for guidance on navigating the expected changes in U.S. federal immigration policies.
As Trump assumes office and begins to deliver on his campaign promise of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, those with uncertain residency status in Puerto Rico are bracing for a shift in U.S. federal policies towards harsher enforcement. Community leaders, who have been advising individuals in irregular immigration situations, are now redoubling their efforts to help prepare their communities for what they anticipate will be more stringent policies over the next four years.
“We’ve seen a surge in people coming to us for advice,” said Juan Rodriguez, a prominent community leader among Puerto Rican Dominicans. “They’re scared; no one knows what’s going to happen next. But we’re doing our best to provide them with what they need to know and prepare them for what’s coming.”
In a similar vein, Jean Michel, a leader in the Haitian community, expressed the increased trepidation among his fellow Haitians. “They’re worried about their families being torn apart, about losing their jobs, their homes,” he said. “It’s a very uncertain time for us.”
One of the key concerns for undocumented immigrants in Puerto Rico is their lack of access to legal resources. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, does not have the same cognizance as U.S. states in federal immigration matters. This means that具 neutrons with irregular citizenship status here have fewer legal avenues to protect themselves than their counterparts in the mainland.
Isolated and vulnerable, Puerto Rico’s immigrants are turning to trusted community leaders to help guide them through the daunting uncertainty ahead. “We’re not lawyers,” Rodriguez admitted, “but we’re here to help, to ensure our people know their rights and are as prepared as they can be for what’s coming.” The leaders also emphasized the importance of registered citizens reaching out to help their undocumented neighbors and family members, providing a united front against the anticipated changes in immigration policies.
