The American Union for Civil Freedoms, from Puerto Rico (ACLU-PR), and several civilian organizations of the island launched a coalition against US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies with the double objective of guiding migrants and demanding measures protection for this community.
“The migrant community needs guidance, services and protection. As a civil society, we will do whatever it takes to ensure that these people, who are an integral part of our society, have the necessary tools to face abuse and discrimination, ”said Annette Martínez Oracona, lawyer and executive director of ACLU-PR .
On January 26, federal agents, US immigration and security authorities arrested dozens of migrants in various operations carried out in San Juan areas, without the support of the island government.
One of the most impacted areas was the Barrio Obrero sector, where thousands of people of Dominican nationality reside.
The operations were part of the offensive against illegal immigration launched by the Trump government at national level, which resulted in the arrest of almost 7,500 people in two weeks, according to official reports, although some of the detainees were released, according to two sources familiar with the actions.
Prisons are part of an effort to consolidate a higher surveillance apparatus involving a series of federal agencies that have received higher immigration authority under the administration of the Republican.
The ACLU-PR coalition said it will provide legal support and guidance to migrant communities and work to organize these communities to promote their empowerment and participation in the struggle for their rights.
Vivian Godinaux, president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association, which is part of this front led by ACLU-PR, said that “the commissions and delegations work in various legal and guidance initiatives to ensure that the migrant community in Puerto Rico has the tools necessary to face these injustices poorly disguised as legality. ”
The Union explained that its tasks will include providing free legal counseling for migrants in Puerto Rico, including the preparation of legal resources and representation in cases of detention and deportation, as well as performing workshops to educate migrant communities about their rights and tools to protect against possible abuse.
This content was originally published in Civil Organization of Puerto Rico creates coalition against immigration policies on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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