ICE Raids Intensify in San Juan as Border Official Tom Homan Visits Puerto Rico

ICE Raids Intensify in San Juan as Border Official Tom Homan Visits Puerto Rico

At least 15 people reportedly arrested as immigrant advocates raise concerns over enforcement tactics and residents’ rights

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — October 22, 2026 — Federal immigration enforcement operations have intensified in the San Juan metropolitan area, with at least 15 people reportedly arrested as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct vehicle stops and establish roadblocks in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.

The operations come amid a visit to Puerto Rico by White House border official Tom Homan, who traveled to the island to assess immigration enforcement and maritime border security efforts, according to the White House.

The Washington Post, citing local reporting, attorneys, advocates and witnesses, reported Thursday that federal agents have been stopping drivers and passengers in areas including Santurce, a San Juan neighborhood with a significant Dominican immigrant community.

Videos reportedly showed masked, armed officers traveling in sport utility vehicles and partially blocking streets during enforcement operations.

The full scope of the operation remains unclear. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security had not provided detailed responses to questions from the Washington Post about the enforcement actions at the time of its report.

Immigrant community expresses concern

The reported arrests have raised concerns among immigrant advocates and attorneys, particularly over the circumstances surrounding some detentions.

Attorney Rosaura González Rucci told a local news network that one of her clients, a 35-year-old Dominican national, was arrested early Thursday while traveling to work in San Juan.

According to the attorney, the man had lived in Puerto Rico for approximately 10 years, was married to a lawful permanent resident and had two U.S. citizen daughters. She also said he had an approved petition for legal residency through his wife, although the process had not been completed.

The attorney said her client had no criminal record.

His case has drawn attention to the uncertainty facing immigrants whose residency applications are pending. However, the circumstances of an individual case do not establish whether an arrest or detention was lawful; that determination depends on the applicable law and the facts of the case.

Civil rights organization calls for halt to arrests

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico has called for an immediate halt to the arrests, raising concerns about the treatment of immigrant communities and the conduct of federal enforcement operations.

The organization has also criticized the reported disclosure of confidential information concerning 6,321 immigrant driver's-license holders to federal authorities by Puerto Rico's transportation agency.

The disclosure has prompted additional questions about privacy protections, government accountability and how personal information is shared with immigration enforcement agencies.

Puerto Rico's government had not provided a detailed public explanation of the latest arrests at the time of the Washington Post report.

Homan's visit draws further attention

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Homan's visit comes as reports of intensified immigration enforcement raise questions about the federal government's approach to immigration in Puerto Rico.

The White House said the visit was intended to assess immigration and maritime border security efforts. It did not publicly provide a detailed accounting of the arrests described in the reports.