dChan
Anonymous ID: 83b476 March 20, 2025, 5:59 a.m. No.22793421   🗄️.is 🔗kun

Raids Shatter Perception of Puerto Rico as Sanctuary for Immigrants

https://www.newsmax.com/us/puerto-rico-immigration-raids/2025/03/20/id/1203582/

Thursday, 20 March 2025 07:24 AM EDT

 

Pastor Nilka Marrero will slam her hand on the table, raise her voice and, if needed, shake her parishioners while playing the role of a federal agent.

 

Many of her parishioners are undocumented immigrants, and she believes that role-playing with them can help prepare them for the threat of arrest as authorities step up immigration raids to a scale never before seen in Puerto Rico.

 

"They appear and snatch people," Marrero said.

 

For decades, undocumented immigrants have lived in the U.S. territory without fear of arrest. They're allowed to open bank accounts and obtain a special driver's license. Many have felt safe enough to open their own businesses.

 

Then, on Jan. 26, large-scale arrests began.

 

U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents raided a well-known Dominican community in a nod to a new policy of President Donald Trump, who has pledged to deport millions of people who have entered the United States illegally.

 

The arrests have angered Puerto Rican officials and civil leaders who have created programs to help the island's undocumented immigrants, many of whom are from the Dominican Republic.

 

An estimated 55,000 Dominicans live in Puerto Rico, although some experts believe the number could be even higher. It's unclear how many are undocumented, although some 20,000 have the special driver's license.

 

More than 200 people have been arrested since Jan. 26, nearly all men. Of those arrested, 149 are Dominican, according to data ICE provided The Associated Press.

 

Sandra Colón, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Puerto Rico, said the agency is focusing on those with a criminal record or who have received a final court ruling that they must leave the country. But she said she did not immediately have available how many of those arrested have criminal records.

 

Annette Martínez, Puerto Rico's ACLU director, said it's unknown where those arrested have been taken or if they have been deported. "We're concerned about the different methods ICE is using for detainment," she said.

Anonymous ID: 83b476 March 20, 2025, 6:04 a.m. No.22793434   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>3636 >>3906 >>4068 >>4237 >>4284

Knew this was coming as soon as Marco Rubio kicked out their ambassador to the US.

 

Bloomberg: US Delays $2.6B Climate Finance Package to South Africa

https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/us-south-africa-aid/2025/03/20/id/1203613/

Thursday, 20 March 2025 07:37 AM EDT

 

The United States is delaying the disbursement of $2.6 billion in climate finance to South Africa, raising concerns the funds could be withheld entirely, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the situation.

 

Earlier this month, U.S. representatives prevented the World Bank-linked Climate Investment Funds (CIF) from approving a $500 million disbursement to South Africa, the report added.

 

The funding was expected to unlock an additional $2.1 billion from multilateral development banks and other financial sources and a fresh attempt to approve the disbursement may be made at CIF meetings in June, the report said.

 

CIF is one of the world's largest multilateral funds aimed at scaling climate solutions in developing countries.

 

If confirmed, the move would be among several actions by President Donald Trump's administration to scale back participation in multilateral climate initiatives.

 

In March, the U.S. withdrew from the board of the United Nations' climate damage fund, which supports vulnerable nations facing climate-related disasters.

 

The U.S. Treasury and the CIF did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.