ICE arrest in Barrio Obrero sparks outrage

The supermarket administrator who released the videos said the man, who reportedly lives nearby, had just paid for his groceries at the Econo in Barrio Obrero and stepped outside when an unmarked federal vehicle soon blocked his path. (Screenshot Facebook video via WAPA TV/July 12, 2026)

Civil rights groups warn of escalating federal interventions

By THE STAR STAFF

An immigrant -- described by witnesses as apparently Haitian -- was violently arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents over the weekend in San Juan’s Barrio Obrero, in an incident captured by security cameras and shared widely on social media. The footage shows the man leaving the Econo supermarket on Avenida Borinquen around 9 a.m., carrying supplies he had just purchased, when federal agents intercepted him.

The supermarket administrator who released the videos said the man, who reportedly lives nearby, had just paid for his groceries and stepped outside when an unmarked federal vehicle blocked his path. Realizing what was happening, he attempted to flee, but several additional ICE vehicles arrived, and multiple agents chased him down Martino Street before forcing him to the ground.

“They have no mercy. They threw him to the ground violently. It shouldn’t be like this,” the administrator said in the recording, adding that supermarket employees were left in tears after witnessing the arrest.

The videos, reposted by the Jonathan Djcachu Hernandez page -- which frequently alerts communities about ICE activity -- also show the administrator lamenting the broader climate of fear: “It’s so hard to see what we’ve seen … God, have mercy on what we’re going through.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico has been warning for months about what it describes as a rise in aggressive ICE interventions on the island, including operations in public spaces and residential neighborhoods. The organization argues that the tactics sow fear among immigrant communities and raise concerns about due process and excessive force.

Federal authorities have not released information about the man’s identity, immigration status, or the reason for the arrest. The STAR was unable to determine the fate of the individual shown in the video. 

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE nationwide, following several high-profile cases involving the deaths of Mexican nationals during or after federal interventions in the mainland United States (see related story on page 5). Civil rights advocates say the Barrio Obrero arrest underscores the need for transparency and oversight as federal operations expand in Puerto Rico.

Community members in Barrio Obrero expressed shock at the level of force used, noting that the man appeared to be going about his daily routine.

“It’s not fair,” the supermarket administrator said in the video. “We need to understand the times we’re living in.”