Puerto Rico community leaders graduate from second nationwide HSI-sponsored citizens academy
2015 class of HSI’s Citizens Academy graduates in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A group of 13 community leaders graduated Saturday in San Juan from the second U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-sponsored citizens academy. The graduation took place at the AAA Shooting Club in Toa Baja where HSI San Juan's special agent in charge presented a certificate of completion to the 13 graduates in a special ceremony.
The HSI San Juan Citizens Academy is the only HSI-sponsored citizens academy in the nation. Last year, 10 citizens graduated from the program becoming the first citizens to ever graduate from an HSI citizens academy. On Saturday, the 2015 class, composed of 13 men and women from the public and private sectors, received their certificates of completion from very proud Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez.
The HSI San Juan Citizens Academy was developed by the 2013 HSI San Juan Aspiring Leaders Mentorship Agreement (ALMA) cohort as their graduation project. The goal of the academy is to provide selected community leaders with a unique opportunity to receive an inside look at HSI's organizational and operational structure while bolstering a relationship that will enhance agency and community relations.
The 13 community leaders selected to attend the second cohort underwent a 10-week program, meeting once a week for at least two hours, which provided them with a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the agency through a classroom environment and field training exercises. The curriculum provided for hands-on and interactive activities to keep participant engaged and make the experience memorable. It included the HSI San Juan communications center, airport operations, illicit trade, human smuggling and trafficking, gangs, Coast Guard interdiction, transportation of evidence, child exploitation, surveillance, seaport operations, controlled deliveries, financial investigations, pre-trial and judicial proceedings, clearing a room, special response team operations, firearms training and team building.
"HSI San Juan is extremely proud to have among it ranks 13 additional citizens," said Melendez. "It is indeed a pleasure to know how 13 community leaders with great responsibilities accepted the challenge and our invitation to participate in this second group of a nationwide citizens academy. This is a historic event as today you become part of our legacy. You become our best emissaries of our agency's values of honor, service and integrity."
The following community leaders composed the second cohort of the HSI San Juan Citizens Academy:
- Marisol Rivera
- Magda Rodriguez
- Brenda Rosado
- Edith Benoit
- Mariana Bauza
- Jose Rivero
- Jose Rodriguez
- Angel Rijos
- Jorge Negron
- Angel Hernandez
- Carlos Cardona
- Denise Long
- Benjamin Nieves
Updated: