Puerto Rico Report (2024)

11/12/2023

What Happens to U.S. Citizenship If Puerto Rico Becomes a Foreign Country? Possible Scenarios https://bit.ly/3NgsQtD

What sort of U.S. citizenship transition might take place if Puerto Rico chose independent sovereignty? History gives clues.

08/12/2023

The “Annexation” of Puerto Rico? https://bit.ly/3MT8c3P

Is "annexation" an accurate term for statehood? Would admission to the U.S. as a state be an example of annexation?

08/12/2023

What’s a Freely Associated State? https://bit.ly/478MKze

A Freely Associated State (FAS) is a small country that grants the United States responsibility for its national security and provides the U.S. with military rights within its borders. Three Pacific island nations have signed Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the United States: the Republ...

08/12/2023

Who Controls Laws on U.S. Citizenship? https://bit.ly/3S6TLcp

Puerto Rico will not be able to control U.S. laws on citizenship or immigration if it becomes independent.

07/12/2023

Can a Puerto Rican Become President Of The United States?

The answer to this broad question is, “maybe yes and maybe no.” As “statutory citizens,” the nearly four million Americans born in Puerto Rico might not be considered “natural born,” a Constitutional requirement to become President of the United States. Let’s look at a few cases! CASE ...

07/12/2023

English in Puerto Rico

English has been spoken in Puerto Rico for more than a century. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, it will not have the largest number of speakers of Spanish among the States. However, it will probably have the highest proportion of Spanish speakers. In the recent hearings on Puerto Rico status, Rep. T...

07/12/2023

Is Puerto Rico a Colony?

Although it is an uncomfortable idea for Americans, Rep. Nydia Velazquez said in no uncertain terms that Puerto Rico is a colony.

06/12/2023

For Educators – Understanding Colonialism: What’s a Colony?

When one country aggressively sends settlers who take possession of another – usually distant – area, it becomes a colony. Puerto Rico is an example. Spain sent people to build and live in cities in Puerto Rico during the 15th century. Spain claimed ownership of the land and set up a government ...

06/12/2023

Puerto Rican Population in the States

Recent estimates say that there are about 5.8 million Puerto Ricans living in the States, compared with 3.2 million on the Island. Puerto Ricans are not evenly distributed across the nation, however. Here, in order of Puerto Rican population, are the States with the 10 largest concentrations of Puer...

06/12/2023

The 1952 Puerto Rico Constitution: A New “Commonwealth” in Name Only

The Puerto Rico Constitution of 1952 didn't change Puerto Rico's status, as many thought it would. Puerto Rico remains a territory.

05/12/2023

Puerto Rico and U.S. National Security

In a recent article published in The Hill, José Enrique Meléndez-Ortiz, a representative in Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives, argues that “[i]t is no coincidence that Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, which have facilitated Russia’s and China’s expanding presence in Latin America, have...

05/12/2023

Puerto Rico and Climate Change

Climate change has affected Puerto Rico in some extremely significant ways. First, warmer ocean water temperatures fueled Hurricane Maria, bringing as much rain in one day as the Island usually sees in three months. A new study determined that the sheer quantity of rain was enough to cause landslide...

05/12/2023

Calculating the Value of Each State to the U.S. https://bit.ly/3qFvj9E

In discussions of statehood for Puerto Rico, questions about costs and benefits come up — for both sides. Puerto Rico would gain equal rights and full political representation and — like the 37 territories that have already transitioned to statehood — be better off economically. What would the...

04/12/2023

Comparing Puerto Rico and Cuba

Comparing Puerto Rico and Cuba shows the difference between two economic and political systems in two places with a lot in common.

04/12/2023

For Educators – Colonialism in the U.S. Today

U.S. classrooms studying colonialism often focus on the colonial heritage of the 13 British colonies that became the United States. Sometimes the colonialism of the Age of Discovery is mentioned in a discussion of New Spain or the Louisiana Purchase. But all these discussions can give students the i...

04/12/2023

Join the conversation in the comments! https://bit.ly/43QYHXW

Food sovereignty is a goal for many in Puerto Rico. What are the obstacles? How does it differ from food security?

01/12/2023

Could the biodiversity of bananas in Puerto Rico save the banana industry? https://bit.ly/3oAiwls

Bananas have been a threatened crop for years. Wired Magazine went so far as to say that the familiar yellow banana “will soon be gone.” Americans eat about 26 pounds of bananas per person per year, and bananas are a bellwether for pricing — that is, most of us know how much bananas cost. If.....

01/12/2023

What does it mean to call Puerto Rico a "commonwealth"? https://bit.ly/2uMlrL6

Puerto Rico is often called a commonwealth, but that is actually just a word in the official title of the government of Puerto Rico. Kentucky is also a commonwealth, as are Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Clearly, these states are no different from states like California and Arkansas, whic...

01/12/2023

Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico

Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico is severely underfunded. A group of Members of Congress wrote to the Secretary of HHS about this issue.

30/11/2023

Can the Federal Government Sell Puerto Rico?

The New York Times published a claim that has resurfaced with some frequency over the years, drawing outrage each time: the notion that the U.S. has the power to sell Puerto Rico or otherwise “divest” its most populous territory, home to over three million U.S. citizens. New York Councilman and ...

30/11/2023

Puerto Rico Voted for Statehood

Puerto Rico voted for statehood. Many Americans do not realize this. However, Congress must admit Puerto Rico as a state.

30/11/2023

Comparing Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe

We compared Puerto Rico with Haiti, a former colony of France which is now an independent nation. We can also compare it with Guadeloupe, another Caribbean island, which was also a colony of France in the past. Unlike Haiti, Guadeloupe did not choose independence. Instead, Guadeloupe became a depart...

29/11/2023

Chronic Diseases and Puerto Rico’s Economy

The U.N.’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) held a virtual meeting to discuss the economic consequences of chronic diseases in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico was one of the locations covered. “The high prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the Caribbean – such a...

29/11/2023

For Educators – Understanding Colonialism: What’s a Colony?

When one country aggressively takes possession of another – usually distant – area, keeping ties with the homeland often for military benefit and for access valuable natural resources, it becomes a colony. Puerto Rico is an example. Spain sent people to build and live in cities in Puerto Rico in...

29/11/2023

Environmental Health Risks in Puerto Rico

Environmental health risks are unevenly distributed across the United States, with people in communities with lower socioeconomic levels facing significantly more problems with air and water quality. Puerto Rico, with a high rate of poverty and a very limited voice in U.S. politics, faces high level...

28/11/2023

Freely Associated States Left Vulnerable as Compact Renewals Stagnate

Three independent nations have treaties with the United States called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs). These countries, which are known as the Freely Associated States (FAS) include the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. In an article...

28/11/2023

Constitutional Experts: U.S. Citizenship in Puerto Rico Guaranteed Only With Statehood

In debates over possible changes to the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, one issue always seems to rise to the top: the fate of U.S. citizenship. People in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens by birth and travel freely to and from the mainland – no passport required. Puerto Ricans...

28/11/2023

Cultural Independence for Puerto Rico?

Independence is an unpopular idea in Puerto Rico. No more than five percent of voters have ever chosen this option in status plebiscites. No Independence Party candidate has ever held the title of governor or resident commissioner. Puerto Rico simply does not want independence. Independence may be m...

27/11/2023

PRSA: What is the Elephant in the Room?

Even supporters of the Puerto Rico Status Act (PRSA). a bill pending before Congress, are quick to point out that it is not perfect. The legislation, which calls for another plebiscite vote in Puerto Rico, was developed as a compromise between a proposal calling for a straight statehood-up-or-down v...

27/11/2023

Can Puerto Rico Be a U.S. Permanent Partner without Statehood?

In April, 2021, a group of prominent Constitutional law scholars sent a letter to Congress, saying, “There are two, and only two, real self-determination options for Puerto Rico: statehood and independence… Quite simply, Congress does not have the power to create a permanent union between Puerto...

23/11/2023

A Page from History: Thanksgiving for Puerto Rico https://bit.ly/46vHzZ7 “Puerto Rico… has lately become of first importance in the eyes of the world."

“Puerto Rico… has lately become of first importance in the eyes of the world. To Americans in particular it has assumed special interest, as it now practically in possession of the United States, and sooner or later will be represented by a new star in our beautiful flag.” As we prepare for Th...

22/11/2023

Loss of Spanish in the Puerto Rican Diaspora

The term “diaspora” is frequently used to describe people of Puerto Rican heritage living in the states. Some members of the diaspora were born in Puerto Rico, others have parents, grandparents or even earlier family members who made the migration. Regardless of a family’s length of time state...

22/11/2023

Puerto Rico’s Colonial Heritage

In Puerto Rico, Thanksgiving Day is observed with a lavish turkey dinner. Just as that turkey is served with different flavors and side dishes in Connecticut and Georgia, a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving includes special elements like plantains and rice with pigeon peas. But Thanksgiving is one of the fe...

22/11/2023

Former Colonies around the World

Former colonies around the world have become independent or become part of their former colonizing nation. See some of the outcomes.

21/11/2023

Does Puerto Rico Have a Colonial Economy?

In an article entitled “Puerto Rico’s Colonial Economy,” Arthur Macewan argues that colonial status is not generally a good foundation for economic progress — and that this aspect of Puerto Rico’s “economic mess” is being ignored by much of the media attention Puerto Rico has received....

21/11/2023

Can the U.S. Change the Terms of Free Association?

Terms of free association can be changed by either side of the treaty relationship at any time. That's the "free" part.

20/11/2023

Permanent Military Presence but only Temporary Economic Help under Free Association

The Puerto Rico Status Act, a bill currently in Congress, provides for a vote in Puerto Rico to choose among three options: independence, statehood, and free association. While statehood and independence are clear cut choices with plenty of examples, a “free association” option would be more amb...

20/11/2023

Senate Leader Vows to Make Nutrition Assistance Equality for Puerto Rico a Priority

El Nuevo Dia broke the news last week that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has made a transition to SNAP for Puerto Rico a top priority for 2024. Currently, Puerto Rico receives limited nutritional support under NAP, which is the “separate but not equal” version of SNAP, the national...

20/11/2023

How U.S. Citizenship Evolved in Puerto Rico https://bit.ly/3ODPA7w

In 1917, Congress granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Rico residents when it passed the Jones Act. This law also included a bill of rights similar to that provided in the U.S. Constitution and established a bicameral legislature with voting rights in Puerto Rico. Before enactment, there was little de...

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