In Puerto Rico, former Governor Alejandro García Padilla expressed sadness and indignation on Friday over the Department of Transportation and Public Works’ (DTOP) release of confidential information on over 6,000 immigrants to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). García Padilla questioned whether DTOP was truly obligated to provide the data via a federal subpoena, suggesting the government’s interpretation was incorrect.
The controversy arose after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed that DTOP had shared personal information on approximately 6,321 immigrants without a legal obligation to do so. García Padilla urged Governor Jenniffer González to examine the legal advice she received to justify the data release. The former governor, who had promoted a 2013 law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in Puerto Rico, called the government’s actions insensitive towards immigrant communities.
The DTOP had provided the data just three days after receiving a subpoena from the Department of Homeland Security on January 26, 2025, with a response deadline of February 7, 2025. Governor González has denied that the release was voluntary, stating that state agencies must comply with federal requirements.