Puerto Rico, which has been considered a sanctuary for many years as an illegal immigration sanctuary, is now attracting attention under the Trump administration, with immigration experts telling Fox News Digital that US Island territory is a lucrative jurisdiction to avoid immigration restrictions for a long time.
U.S. customs and immigration data shows that over 200 people have been arrested since the deportation operation in Puerto Rico was a citizen of the Dominican Republic on January 26, 149. For Associated Press. Local immigrants are “in panic,” Jose Rodriguez, chairman of the Dominican Human Rights Commission, told the Associated Press. “They are afraid to go out. They are afraid to take their kids to school.”
The report said illegal immigrants have lived in Puerto Rico “for decades” and many remained in US territory “without fear of arrest,” but many have been allowed to open bank accounts, obtain driver's licenses and even open their own businesses.
However, Heritage Foundation Border Security and Mimiration Center Director Lora Ries tells Fox that it is a territorial issue on islands like Puerto Rico and Guam.
Trump's policy on border jumpers will strengthen use of “the greatest outcome,” border agents tell Fox
Police said they dealt with illegal immigrant groups, primarily from China, in Coral Gables, Florida on January 28, 2025. (by Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service Getty Images)
“In these areas, we can now open bank accounts, provide driver's licenses, and open businesses. We'll just promote and extend this illegal immigration,” Lease said. “And of course, immigrants, aliens, if they were placed in the removal procedure by ice, they would use it as a shield, a defense, “I've been here for so many years, so I can't banish me. I'm in business here.”
Recent attacks have “shattered the perception” of the island's territory as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, causing many to live in fear of their own destiny.
Lease said that despite a perception of security, illegal immigration on US territory faces the same potential consequences as the US mainland territory.
“They always skip personal responsibility. They knew they broke the law. They knew they were continuing to break the law. They knew they would be arrested, removed and detained to break the law… Don't try to move the responsibility to the US government, don't try to play the victim,” Ries said.
Reese noted that US territory, including Pacific people, such as Guam, often jumps down for illegal immigrants, which often make it easier to move to the US mainland after they first enter there. Meanwhile, others begin their lives that they will later try to use as a “shield” from immigration authorities.
The influx of illegal Chinese immigrants is threatening US territory. The island must show “the strength of the country”
President Donald Trump has increased efforts to expel the country all over the United States (Shawn Rayford/Getty Images)
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told the Associated Press that the agency is focusing its efforts in Puerto Rico on people with criminal history or those who have been on the final court to leave the country.
Nevertheless, the Associated Press report said it is surged in favor of Puerto Rico's illegal immigrant population, with volunteers working to provide meals to families who are afraid to leave their homes, but government officials from multiple jurisdictions moved to limit cooperation with federal authorities.
Reese argued that the situation is not different from the situation unfolding in many parts of the United States, where so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions have severely restricted cooperation with federal authorities and prioritized illegal immigration over native citizens.
The San Diego sector chief said:
US Border Patrol Agent Elvis Torres, left, John Almond prepares to escort illegal immigrants who are said to be hiding in the bushes after their arrival in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“It's the same thing,” Reese said. “Local officials are not working with federal agents, or local officials are not their own members, but rather devote very limited resources, time and attention to illegal aliens. They need to do a better job of giving citizens resources to citizens.”
ICE did not respond immediately to Fox News' digital requests.
