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Terestella González Denton, the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for San Juan’s mayoralty, stated on Sunday that from the outset of her campaign, she has been investigating the challenges and needs of the immigrant community in Puerto Rico, particularly those with uncertain immigration status, including individuals from the Dominican Republic.
The PDP candidate highlighted that numerous studies indicate the capital must tackle the issues confronting immigrant communities in a more responsible and proactive way.
“According to the study Profile, Current Situation and Aspirations of the Dominican Population in Puerto Rico, commissioned by United Way’s Technical Studies firm, there is a significant gap in access to health insurance on the island,” declared González Denton, who also serves as president of the party’s municipal committee in San Juan. “Moreover, the study revealed various factors that hinder educational access for this demographic, including conflicts between work schedules and school hours.”
“In terms of health services, many of these individuals encounter challenges when trying to obtain medical care for outpatient issues, surgical procedures, or chronic illnesses,” the candidate noted. “Additionally, the immigrant populace, particularly our Dominican brothers and sisters, has limited access to medical plans in Puerto Rico, according to research conducted by the Census Information Center at the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus.”
On the topic of education, González Denton remarked that while Puerto Rico provides a free and accessible education system, there are still documentation barriers that may hinder student enrollment. She emphasized the need for greater flexibility in document processing so that parents can enroll their children or young adults seeking higher education or university degrees.
The mayoral candidate underlined that the ongoing housing crisis in the capital city continues to negatively impact the immigrant community as well.
