How to Support the Immigrant Community in Puerto Rico

Not sure what to do if someone you know needs legal advice to make their immigration status official in Puerto Rico? Would you like to support the immigrant community, but don't know where to start?

Donald Trump's deportation policies began at the start of his second term on January 23, 2025. According to the report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the first 100 days of the Trump administration, 158,000 immigrants have been arrested. Of these, about 142,000 were deported.

In a recent interview with NPR, Rebecca González Ramos, the principal investigator for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Puerto Rico, confessed that around 500 immigrants have been deported from the archipelago in the first four months since Trump took office.

This guide seeks to answer your questions about what to do, and highlights the organizations that work daily to protect the rights and accompany those who are in pursuit of a new life in Puerto Rico.

Community Kitchens

Initiatives such as the San Pablo Methodist Church, led by pastor Nilka Marrero, offer direct support to the immigrant community in Barrio Obrero in Santurce. Part of their services include preparing and delivering lunches three times a week for to community members

"I depend on what the community brings me [regarding groceries]. With what they bring, we prepare lunches," explained Marrero.

The church also organizes educational workshops on immigrant rights, and provides legal and psychological support. Currently, they are leading a summer camp focused on the rights’ education and mentorship for children.

How can you support?

• Make financial contributions, through ATH Móvil, to the contact number 787-680-3427, in the name of IglesiaMetodistaSanPablo. They also accept cash deliveries in person.
• Donate food and groceries for making lunches. The pastor receives groceries every week.
• Offer free volunteer services in education, psychological therapy, and social work.

Legal Advice

For many immigrants, legal advice can make the difference in preventing and successfully overcoming potential abuses of power. Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico was founded with the purpose of promoting access to justice. To respond to the emergency situation faced by the immigrant population, they have enabled the telephone line 787-434-7575.

This helpline receives between 20 and 40 calls per week and is answering legal questions They also offer a free live chat and other informational resources through their website: ayudalegalpr.org.

You can become an ally by offering services in the following ways:

• If you are a law student or have legal knowledge, join the support team
• You can also contribute financially on their website, where you will find their ATH Móvil information (donating to Businesses, ayudalegalpuertorico) and PayPal (info@ayudalpr.org).

Support immigrant survivors of gender violence

The Dominican Women's Center in Puerto Rico (Centro de la Mujer Dominicana, Inc.) is one of the organizations that works to provide comprehensive support to immigrant women who have experienced situations of gender violence. Their work focuses on supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and dating violence.

Among the services they offer to women survivors are the following:

• Legal advocacy
• Guidance on rights and processes
• Legal representation
• Psychological and emotional support services

This organization has become a safe space and source of support for many immigrant women who face different types of violence.

You can also be part of this work by offering volunteer services to survivors. To collaborate, you can call 787-772-9251 to have a preliminary interview to determine if your skills and professional profile qualify for the position.

Another way to support this initiative is by donating through the PayPal account here.

Educational and social campaigns

"We must educate and stand by, be present for the community. What they cannot do at the moment, we must do," highlighted Mari Mari Narváez, executive director of Kilómetro Cero.

Kilómetro Cero is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of accountability and citizen oversight of Puerto Rico’s Police force. Recently, it has also advocated for the rights of the immigrant community, organizing a coalition made up of 25 organizations that have gone in "tumbacocos" (a type of mobile unit) through different communities to distribute educational material on immigrant rights, so that the information reaches those who cannot leave their homes.

Kilómetro Cero also trains community leaders and law students by offering workshops that serve to share information about the rights of the immigrant community. They are currently developing a solidarity campaign that seeks to transform narratives, while documenting all police violence, including ICE’s mistreatment.

To defend this initiative that advocates for the immigrant community, you can:

• Stay tuned to activities and attend workshops
• Make a monetary donation through their website‍
• Share information to join their cause
• Notify them when they see ICE and record interventions to raise awareness

Advocacy

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Puerto Rico is an organization known for advocating for different communities and marginalized. It offers workshops and guidance on the civil and human rights of immigrants, including topics such as sanctuary spaces, rights during arrests, and freedom of expression. A sanctuary space is a space where policies have been adopted to limit cooperation with agents seeking to deport undocumented migrants.

In addition, it has established agreements with entities such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons to improve immigrants' access to health services, and has promoted the development of public policy to protect immigrants.

As part of its legislative work, the ACLU of Puerto Rico promoted House Bill 331, which seeks to establish safe spaces for immigrants and limit the collaboration of state and municipal governments in illegal or arbitrary detentions carried out by ICE. The measure was filed in February and has remained in the Government Commission since that month.

Additionally, the organization drafted two municipal ordinances focused on the protection of immigrants, which have already been adopted in the municipalities of Hormigueros and Aguadilla.

To join the ACLU's efforts, you can:

• Be an informed ally: seek information about your rights and those of immigrant communities through different platforms or by attending workshops.
• Help disseminate accurate information and counteract disinformation.
• Participate in ACLU campaigns and join calls to action.
• Donate, so that the ACLU can continue its legal and advocacy work for this population. You can make your donation through this link.