The Detention Nobody Talked About: ICE in Puerto Rico

On the U.S. colony of Puerto Rico, Aracelys—a Dominican woman protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)—was illegally arrested by ICE. In this episode, we speak with Annette Martínez Orabona, Executive Director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, to uncover the hidden costs of colonial status: a territory where federal laws are imposed without local input, and a government that too often complies with ICE at the expense of its most vulnerable. We explore how Aracelys's case may be just one of many, the chilling effect on immigrant survivors of abuse who will now fear seeking protection, and the racism behind ICE enforcement immigration policies on the archipelago. This isn’t just a story of wrongful detention—it’s a story of resilience, resistance, and the fight to reclaim freedom. Love the show? Help keep your favorite host fueled for those late-night editing sessions! Whether she's sipping fresh chamomile tea or hot chocolate, your support means the world. You can drop a few bucks to support the podcast here: Send donation to Diasporica