U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made her first official visit to Puerto Rico on Thursday, promising to help the island as it continues rebuilding from devastating hurricanes and ongoing power grid failures.
During her one-day trip, Noem spoke briefly with reporters, saying she would look into ways the federal government can cut through red tape and speed up FEMA assistance to ensure Puerto Ricans get the help they’ve been promised.
Tackling Energy and FEMA Delays
Puerto Rico’s governor, Jenniffer González, has been vocal about her frustration with FEMA, especially over the $18 billion in funds that still haven’t been released to fix the island’s damaged power grid. While FEMA has approved 200 out of 440 reconstruction projects, only 125 are under construction so far.
Noem and González had long discussions about Puerto Rico’s energy future, but Noem didn’t offer specific details on how the federal government might help. Under the Biden administration, millions of dollars have already been invested in solar energy, adding over 1,200 megawatts of renewable capacity.
Border Security and Fighting Crime
Noem’s visit wasn’t just about infrastructure—she and González also focused on border security and cracking down on criminal organizations using Puerto Rico’s shores for illegal activities.
“We want to dismantle all those criminal organizations hitting our shores,” González said, emphasizing the need for closer cooperation with federal agencies.
Her comments come shortly after federal agents began arresting undocumented immigrants in Puerto Rico, a move that has sparked controversy on the island.
Honoring a Fallen Border Patrol Agent
While in Puerto Rico, Noem attended a ceremony for Michel O. Maceda, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was killed in November 2022 during a shootout at sea with suspected drug traffickers. Three other agents were injured in the incident.
Statehood and Federal Relations
González, a supporter of Donald Trump, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to push for Puerto Rico’s statehood, a key goal of her New Progressive Party. She sees Noem’s visit as a sign that Puerto Rico is gaining more federal attention and support.
While it’s still unclear how much Noem’s visit will change things on the ground, it highlights Puerto Rico’s ongoing struggles with disaster recovery, security, and its future relationship with the U.S.