PDP leaders: Immigrants’ ‘true allies’ can be found in their party

By THE STAR STAFF

In response to statements made by Puerto Rico Secretary of State Rosachely Rivera Santana regarding her commitment to “serve as a liaison” between immigrants and island banks, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame and Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde on Wednesday questioned the credibility of the government of Jenniffer González Colón on the immigration issue and contrasted its promises with what they said have been the concrete actions of Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera.

“The [state] secretary talks about serving as a liaison, but the problem is much deeper,” Calderón Cerame said. “This same government has already handed over confidential information on immigrants to federal authorities, publicly said that there would be no raids and there were. They have deceived the community over and over again, even punishing the municipality of Aguadilla that decided to serve as a sanctuary for the immigrant community. Now they want the immigrant community to believe them, but no one trusts a government that has put them at risk.”

Álvarez Conde stressed that “Pablo José Hernández has taken firm and verifiable steps: he presented legislation in Washington to ensure that raids are not carried out in sensitive places such as schools and churches; mobilized congressmen to achieve the release of Aracelys Terrero, illegally detained; and has directly guided the immigrant community about their rights so that they can defend themselves from abuses,” she said.

“The contrast is evident. While the government of Jenniffer González improvises meetings and repeats empty promises, Pablo José acts with seriousness, empathy and results,” the senator at-large added. “The immigrant community in Puerto Rico needs true allies, not a government that betrays them.”

The PDP leaders pointed out the importance of raising awareness that the issue of the immigrant community is a humanitarian one and that it cannot be subject to the “disorder and deception of this administration.”