Press Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Human dignity is not determined by nationality or immigration status – end ICE’s campaign of terror in our communities
SAN JUAN, P.R. – This weekend, ICE agents moved through communities across Puerto Rico, detaining our neighbors and spreading fear among immigrant families. The increased federal operations in Puerto Rico follows the same pattern of intimidation that Hispanic Federation has documented through The People’s Hearings nationwide, and it must end. Below is a statement from Charlotte Gossett Navarro, Puerto Rico Chief Director for Hispanic Federation.
“ICE has escalated its campaign of terror across Puerto Rico detaining community members without restraint or accountability. They disappear people from our streets, tear families apart, leave our children traumatized, and threaten bystanders with violence under operations that have only served to harm our communities.
For months, Hispanic Federation has convened The People’s Hearings in cities across the United States to document ICE’s violations of civil and human rights. Through powerful testimony of directly impacted people, we have heard how intimidation and violence doesn’t stop with the person who is targeted, instead it affects entire communities leaving fear in our homes, schools, businesses, and workplaces. Federal agents are harassing Puerto Ricans, targeting them based on the color of their skin and language. This weekend’s immigration operations serve as a concerning indicator of the kind of aggressive operations we must stop.
Our immigrant communities deserve to live in peace. Human dignity is not determined by nationality or immigration status, and we will not stay silent while it is trampled upon. We demand that Congress and the Governor take immediate action to stop ICE’s dangerous abuse of power.”
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
