Feds to use discretion in some places when intervening with undocumented immigrants

Rebecca González Ramos, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in San Juan, said Tuesday that the agency will use discretion when intervening with undocumented immigrants in some locations.

“We here, all the members, it is not our mission to enter any school, or any senior care facility, or any church,” González Ramos said in a radio interview (NotiUno). “When we find ourselves in that situation, we will work with the local government to avoid having to carry out an operation in those areas,” she added.

The official insisted that people who legalized their residency in Puerto Rico have their documents available at all times, in case they find themselves in the middle of an intervention. On Monday night, the governor met with several federal officials following operations to arrest people with undefined immigration status who are also presumed to have criminal records. Present at the meeting were designated Secretary of State Veronica Ferraiuoli, La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco J. Domenech, designated Justice Secretary Janet Parra Mercado and, by virtual means, designated Public Safety Secretary Brig. Gen. Arturo Garffer.