In a planned enforcement operation on April 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and several other federal and local agencies arrested five illegal immigrants at a construction site in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. This multi-agency action focused on worksite enforcement and aimed at identifying individuals working in the country without legal permission.
The five arrested include one person from Haiti and four from the Dominican Republic. ICE has taken all of them into custody, and they will now face removal proceedings as per U.S. immigration law.
Agencies Involved in the Operation
This operation was carried out with the support of several law enforcement agencies, including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- U.S. Marshals Service
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations
- Vega Baja Municipal Police
- Puerto Rico Police Bureau
This team effort ensured the safe and successful arrest of the individuals working illegally at the construction site.
More Than Just Illegal Employment
According to ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos, operations like this often reveal more serious crimes. These can include document fraud, human trafficking, and smuggling. She added that ICE will continue such enforcement actions in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in line with the President’s executive order.
Worksite investigations are not only about catching people without legal work status, but also about uncovering deeper criminal networks that may be operating behind the scenes.
What Happens Next?
The five arrested individuals are currently being held in ICE custody. They will go through legal immigration proceedings. If a judge finds that they have violated immigration laws, they may be deported to their home countries.
ICE has made it clear that anyone found living or working illegally in the U.S. can be arrested during such operations. These efforts are part of a larger plan to protect public safety and national security.
ICE Urges Public to Report Illegal Activity
ICE is asking the public to help by reporting any suspicious activities or immigration law violations. People can call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or submit information online through their official tip form.
This targeted operation in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, shows the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to stop illegal employment and ensure the safety of its communities. While it started as a simple worksite check, such actions often help uncover more serious crimes. ICE and its partner agencies are staying active in enforcing immigration laws across U.S. territories. These operations are a reminder that unauthorized workers, especially those involved in fraud or trafficking, face serious consequences under federal law.
