PIP urges gov’t to refrain from sharing data on illegal migrants with feds

Rep. Adriana Gutiérrez Colón

By The Star Staff

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) delegation in the House of Representatives urged the island government on Wednesday to withhold information requested by federal authorities regarding nearly 6,000 undocumented immigrants who hold driver’s licenses.

The Trump administration has said it will pressure undocumented immigrants to leave the country by penalizing some of them with penalties of nearly $1,000 a day for every day they stay in the country illegally. So far, the administration has imposed $2 billion in fines on nearly 7,000 people.

“The government of Puerto Rico cannot continue to be complicit and turn a blind eye while the dignity of immigrant communities -- who are already fully integrated into our society and contribute in various areas of our lives -- is tarnished,” Rep. Adriana Gutiérrez Colón said.

Rep. Denis Márquez Lebrón noted that the PIP introduced Bill 331 in February to protect the fundamental rights of immigrant communities, following a request from the American Civil Liberties Union.

“The protection of human rights for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or ethnic or national origin, must be a priority of the Legislative Assembly,” Márquez LeBron said. “We seek protections for our immigrant brothers and sisters, who are an integral part of Puerto Rican society.”

Rep. Nelie Lebrón Robles emphasized that collaborative efforts with federal agencies should not involve violations of constitutional rights.

“President Trump’s executive orders changed the priorities for immigration enforcement, but they did not alter constitutional protections, such as the right not to be arrested without a warrant,” she said. “Our communities are more prosperous, healthy, and safe when they can access essential services and exercise their fundamental rights without fear.”

The PIP delegation urged Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to issue clear instructions to ensure that information is not released without a warrant.