Puerto Rico Supreme Court Clarifies National Origin Discrimination
On January 14, 2025, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico had the opportunity to address the “national origin” protected category under the anti-discrimination provisions of Puerto Rico Act No. 100 of June 30, 1959, as amended (“Act 100”). In Roberto Jiménez Soto v. Carolina Catering Corp. (Sky Caterers), the Court held that this category does not include discrimination based on the employee’s citizenship or immigration status. The plaintiff, a citizen of the Dominican Republic and a U.S. legal permanent resident, f iled suit against his employer after being terminated from employment following the expiration of his permanent residence card (green card). According to the plaintiff, his employer unlawfully terminated him due to his national origin because he was perceived and treated as an illegal immigrant. The employer, in turn, alleged that because the plaintiff failed to present a renewed green card, as required by airport security regulations in order to gain ...