Juan Vega Paredes, dubbed "el hombre de los aguacates," was arrested during a recent ICE sweep targeting Dominican migrants in Puerto Rico. He reflects on his life in the U.S. since migrating in 2021, moving to work for a better life for his daughters. The aggressive immigration policies have created fear within the community, impacting daily life and local businesses, resulting in empty restaurants and decreased church attendance. Vega Paredes and other advocates are now uniting to resist these sweeping arrests affecting predominantly Dominican migrants.
"Once I got intercepted, I thought, 'Oh, this is because of Donald Trump,' Vega Paredes says. 'I resigned myself.'"
"These sweeps have neighbors on edge, and have transformed the once-lively barrio. Now, many restaurants are largely empty during the day and at night."
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