Why this report is important

Puerto Rico, although a U.S. territory, is within the 100-mile border zone where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has special authority to conduct immigration checks.

Does this apply to airports?

Yes. Especially at airports. CBP operates in Puerto Rico's airports with the same powers it has at international borders. This means:

You can be questioned or detained upon arrival or departure from Puerto Rico, even if your flight is to or from a U.S. state.
CBP may request your passport, stay permit, immigration documents, or evidence of valid immigration status.
If your visa has expired, you are mid-process, or you hold parole, you may be placed in removal proceedings.

Who is at risk?

Individuals with expired visas or irregular status
People with pending adjustment of status or family petitions
TPS, DACA, or parole beneficiaries
Individuals waiting for interviews or with prior deportation orders

Real Cases:

Bradley Bartell & Camila Muñoz

In February 2025, Camila Muñoz, a Peruvian national married to U.S. citizen Bradley Bartell, was detained by ICE at San Juan airport after her honeymoon. Although she was legally married and had started her green card process, she was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. Her case highlights that being inside the U.S. does not guarantee immigration safety without an approved, valid immigration status.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Similarly, Marie Ange Blaise, a Haitian national, was detained at the Henry E. Rohlsen airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands while attempting to fly to Charlotte, NC, without a valid visa or pending application. She was issued an expedited removal order and transferred across multiple detention facilities before tragically dying in ICE custody in April 2025.

Both cases share a common factor: neither had an active or approved immigration case at the time of travel.

Recommendations Before Traveling to Puerto Rico

Consult your immigration advisor before traveling.
Carry all updated documentation regarding your immigration status.
Avoid traveling if you have pending legal risks or sensitive open cases.
Keep your legal representative's contact information on hand.

IMPORTANT

Being physically inside the U.S. does not eliminate the risk of immigration arrest. Due to its geographic location, Puerto Rico is under CBP surveillance as if it were an international entry point.