The advantages of statehood for Puerto Rico are obvious:
- The sometimes bizarre legal inequalities between Puerto Rico and the states would end, immediately helping Puerto Rico’s economy. ...
- Like every territory which has become a state, Puerto Rico would be in a stronger economic position. ...
- Puerto Rico will have full representation in the U.S. legislature, with the ability to vote on laws that affect Puerto Rico.
What is the benefit of Puerto Rico being a US territory?
Residents of the island are exempt from most federal taxes, including income tax, excise tax, and estate and gift taxes. They do pay federal payroll taxes and help fund Medicare and Social Security. Puerto Ricans contribute more than $4 billion annually in federal taxes to the United States.
Why cant Puerto Rico become a state?
Under international law, a free associated state is an independent country that has enhanced association with another country through a treaty. This is also a misnomer since Puerto Rico is not an independent country but rather a U.S. territory.
Does Puerto Rico want to be independent?
Since the second half of the 20th century, the independence movement has not been widely supported by the Puerto Rican public, failing to gain traction in both plebiscites and elections. In a status referendum in 2012, 5.5% voted for independence while Statehood obtained 61.1% of the votes cast.
Is it possible for Puerto Rico to become a state?
Voters in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have both voted for statehood in referendums. As statehood candidates, their admission to the Union requires congressional approval.
Why does the US want Puerto Rico?
The strategic value of Puerto Rico for the United States at the end of the nineteenth century centered in economic and military interests. The island's value to US policy makers was as an outlet for excess manufactured goods, as well as a key naval station in the Caribbean.
Does Puerto Rico pay US taxes?
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens; however, Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, but a U.S. insular area. Consequently, while all Puerto Rico residents pay federal taxes, many residents are not required to pay federal income taxes.
What if Puerto Rico becomes independent?
The United States would no longer be obligated to provide financial support, but would lose all military bases unless Puerto Rico agreed to lease them. Some or all Puerto Ricans would likely lose U.S. citizenship and the right to reside in the United States.
Do Puerto Ricans have US citizenship?
All persons born in Puerto Rico on or after January 13, 1941, and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, are citizens of the United States at birth. (June 27, 1952, ch.
Which country owns Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean Sea, has been a territory of the United States since 1898, after the U.S. defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war. It's classified as an “unincorporated territory,” meaning the island is controlled by the U.S. government but is separate from the mainland.
Do Puerto Ricans have US passports?
dual citizenship Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and does not have its own citizenship and passport. Dual citizenship is recognized in the United States. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of United States.
What country would you want to become the 51st American state?
0:0116:11What Is The 51st U.S. State Going To Be? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the way the territory is organized might change soon territories might become States andMoreBut the way the territory is organized might change soon territories might become States and possessions might become territories. So in this video I want to take a look at what might be the 51st.
Why are US territories not states?
The US territories are part of the sovereign territory of the United States. Unlike the 50 states, they have no voting representation in the federal government, or Electoral College. With the exception of American Samoa, people born in US territories are natural born US citizens.
Why is Hawaii a state but not Puerto Rico?
Hawaii was admitted as a state in 1959. It is not just “considered” a state. It IS a state. Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands are US territories that have not been admitted to the union as states.
Why doesn't Puerto Rico have voting rights?
The panel is unanimous in agreeing that the U.S. Constitution does not give Puerto Rico residents the right to vote for members of the House of Representatives because Puerto Rico is not a state.
Do Puerto Ricans have U.S. passports?
dual citizenship Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and does not have its own citizenship and passport. Dual citizenship is recognized in the United States. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of United States.
Why is Northern Territory not a state?
In a 1998 referendum, the voters of the Northern Territory rejected a statehood proposal that would have given the territory three senators, rather than the twelve held by the other states, although the name "Northern Territory" would have been retained.
What would happen if Puerto Rico became a state?
6. It makes Puerto Rico obliged to pay federal income tax. If Puerto Rico were to become a state, it citizens would no longer be exempt from the federal income tax, forcing more people into the public dole due to the effects of increased taxes on a struggling economy. 7.
How much does Puerto Rico contribute to the US economy?
According to records, Puerto Rico is costing the US over USD22 billion a year, but as a state, it can contribute nearly USD2 billion to the US Treasury every year. 3. It offers more opportunities for Puerto Ricans.
How many electoral votes does Puerto Rico have?
With over 4 million people, Puerto Rico can have an impressive 9 electoral votes in elections and would have 7 house representatives and 2 senators representing them on current issues, causing a large shift in political control. 5. It can improve Puerto Rico’s government system.
Why is Puerto Rico a good state?
Nearly half of all people in Puerto Rico are living under the poverty line, and its integration as a full state would bring job opportunities and a wealth of benefits to a country that desperately needs it. 2. It helps the US greatly in terms of economics.
Is Puerto Rico a US territory?
Being under the US territory for many years, Puerto Rico is fully protected and supported by the US government, but this does not mean that Puerto Ricans have all of the same rights as stateside residents of the US. Things, such as the right to vote and other benefits, are not given to Puerto Ricans, but they are allowed to fight in the US military and can also own lands in the US. So, why not just make Puerto Rico a US state? Let us take a look at the pros and cons that go with it.
Can Puerto Rico vote in the US?
Though the US Congress has the final say of everything that would go on in Puerto Rico, it is not possible for its citizens to vote in US elections, which means that statutes and laws that apply to them are not things they can vote on.
Is Puerto Rico an independent country?
It can hurt other Puerto Ricans’ feeling of remaining an independent country. Time and time again, people in Puerto Rico have continuously vote for remaining a separate territory from the US, but does not stop those people who are calling for statehood. Many questions involve issues on citizen’s rights and independence.
How many times did Puerto Ricans choose to become a state?
This was actually the sixth time Puerto Ricans had a choice to make on statehood.
What did Puerto Rico vote for?
Puerto Rico votes in favor of statehood. But what does it mean for the island? The vote was non-binding and some doubt it will have any effect on Congress. Besides voting for president, voters considered measures covering recreational marijuana, abortion, minimum wage, affirmative action and Puerto Rico’s statehood.
What are the internal issues in Puerto Rico?
But it's still an open debate as Puerto Rico grapples with several internal issues: the recovery from Hurricane Maria, devastating earthquakes on the island's southern coast and the coronavirus pandemic. "We have to solve our internal issues first," said 26-year-old voter Natasha Doble, who was driven to the polls not for the referendum, ...
Is Puerto Rico self-sufficient?
For years, groups in favor of breaking the relationship with the U.S. have tried to push for Puerto Rico to become independent and self-sufficient without success. Puerto Rico has been unincorporated territory since then, something that will likely not change, experts say.
Did the Puerto Rico referendum change the status of Puerto Rico?
The non-binding referendum was not expected to change Puerto Rico 's status anytime soon but was still seen as a barometer of Puerto Ricans' appetite for statehood.
Does Puerto Rico have a resident commissioner?
The resident commissioner is Puerto Rico's sole representative in Congress, but does not have a vote. In the 2012 and 2017 referendums, statehood prevailed. But the legitimacy of the results were questioned due to the confusing configuration of the status question and voter turnout.
Who was the governor of Puerto Rico in 1952?
In 1952, the island's governor at the time, Luis Muñoz Marín, proclaimed the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the idea that the island would have a relationship with the U.S., while still having some independence. For years, groups in favor of breaking the relationship with the U.S.
What would happen if Puerto Rico was granted statehood?
Statehood would change the shape of U.S. politics nationally. If Puerto Rico were to be granted statehood, then it would change the overall structure of Congress. Each state is constitutionally required to receive two seats in the Senate, regardless of how many people live within its borders.
When did Puerto Rico become a state?
Puerto Ricans received U.S. citizenship in 1917, and then the island became a commonwealth in 1952. Now there are calls to make it a full state, especially after the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.
Why is Puerto Rico against statehood?
Cynics and critics agree that one of the primary reasons why statehood might be opposed by the United States is that Puerto Rico would immediately have the highest levels of poverty and crime in the country if it became the 51st state.
What is statehood in Puerto Rico?
Statehood is a reflection of what the population wants. There have been a series of referendums held in Puerto Rico over the years asking if the people want statehood granted to them. The vast majority of the results have been positive.
How many people voted for Puerto Rico in 2017?
Even though the 2017 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico produced a massive majority, less than 25% of the registered voters on the island actually came out to vote. Part of the identity of this territory is deeply rooted in the question as to whether or not they should become a state.
Why is Puerto Rico a commonwealth?
Because Puerto Rico is currently a commonwealth, its status as a territory does not allow citizens to vote in the same number of elections when compared to households in the 50 states.
What was Puerto Rico's main agricultural resource?
During the first decades of settlement, Puerto Rico would become a significant agricultural resource for Spain, producing sugar cane, tobacco, coffee, and livestock.
When did Puerto Rico get its own constitution?
Then, in 1950 the United States gave the territory permission to draft its own constitution, provided it didn’t change Puerto Rico’s territorial status. In response, Puerto Rico held a constitutional convention, establishing its own republican form of government and bill of rights.
Why did Puerto Rico go on strike?
In 2017, students from the University of Puerto Rico went on strike to protest steep cuts made to the public university's budget as a result of the island's protracted financial crisis. Today, some activists are pushing for U.S. statehood to help stabilize the local economy.
What did Puerto Ricans call for?
Puerto Ricans continued to call for autonomy. In 1900, the Foraker Act established a civilian government—but stopped short of conferring full rights on Puerto Ricans. As legal scholar José A. Cabranes explains, white American legislators thought granting statehood to Puerto Rico would force the United States to admit the Philippines, which was another U.S. territory at the time, as well asendanger the interests of white laborers and farmers, and increase racial mixing within the U.S. Instead, they granted Puerto Rico “unorganized territory” status and offered Puerto Ricans limited self-governance without U.S. citizenship.
Where did the Puerto Rican girls pose for a picture?
Right: Two Puerto Rican girls pose for a picture in the city of Mayaguez in 1924.
Why did the United States declare war on Cuba?
But a few decades of relative autonomy came to a halt in 1898, when the United States declared war on Spain—ostensibly to liberate Cuba from colonial rule.
Do Puerto Ricans have voting rights?
Either way, Puerto Ricans lack some of the key rights of mainland Americans. They send delegates to presidential nominating conventions, but they can’t cast electoral votes in the general election. They are subject to federal laws, but lack voting representation in Congress: Though the Puerto Rican delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives may serve on committees and introduce bills, they cannot vote. Meanwhile, residents of Puerto Rico do still contribute to Social Security and Medicare. ( See vintage pictures of life in Puerto Rico 100 years ago.)
Is Puerto Rico a state or territory?
Some scholars and policymakers contend the term is a mere moniker, as in the state names of Massachusetts or Pennsylvania. Others say it gives Puerto Rico a special status as a new kind of legal entity that renders it neither a territory nor a state.
Who is pushing for Puerto Rico statehood?
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi is pushing the idea now in Washington D.C., along with Democratic Representative Darren Soto, Florida’s first Puerto Rican congressman, who sponsored a bill for statehood. They say state status would help the island tackle massive economic issues and recovery from the destruction of Hurricane Maria, ...
How many states would have to approve the entrance of Puerto Rico?
Republican and Democrat support would be needed for that to occur. Then, once approved and signed by the president, it would go out to all 50 state governments and 38 of the states would have to do give the final approval to entrance of Puerto Rico or any other state. It's daunting. It's a long process.
Why do Puerto Ricans expect to be treated with respect and with equality?
Puerto Ricans have given a lot and they expect to be treated with respect and with equality because they have acted as Americans, they have served as Americans. They have given as Americans, and they deserve that to equal treatment.
How many senators are needed to pass a bill for Puerto Rico?
Then there would have to be a bill drafted in either the Senate or the House, and it would have to have 67 senators on board to pass. A similar bill would require 290 members of Congress to approve and then the president would have to sign it.
Who is the vice president of the Puerto Rican Leadership Council of South Florida?
He was joined by the New York Times' Miami bureau chief Patricia Mazzei; Frances Colon, the vice president of the Puerto Rican Leadership Council of South Florida; and Victor Vazquez-Hernandez, an author and history professor at Miami-Dade College.
Where is the Puerto Rican flag?
A Puerto Rican flag hangs from the balcony of a house in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s governor is lobbying Congress to vote in favor of statehood. We took a look at current attitudes here and in Puerto Rico about this debate. There’s a new push in Congress for Puerto Rican statehood. A majority of voters on the island voiced their support ...
When did Puerto Rico become a US territory?
Following the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States in 1898, through the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Puerto Rico became an unincorporated, organized territory of the US through a series of judicial decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States, collectively known as "The Insular Cases" and the enactment of several statutes by Congress.
When will Puerto Rico be admitted to the Union?
On May 16, 2020, Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced announced that a referendum on Puerto Rico's statehood would be held in November. For the first time in the territory's history, only one direct question was asked: "Should Puerto Rico be admitted immediately into the Union as a State?" Previous referendums presented multiple options such as independence or maintaining the current territorial status. The announcement came amid growing disillusionment with Puerto Rico's territorial status due to the lack of access to federal funds for recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic.
What did the Democratic Party say about Puerto Rico in 1940?
The 1940 Democratic Party platform expressed their support to a larger measure of self-government leading to statehood for Puerto Rico. The Democratic platform of 1940 said: We favor a larger measure of self-government leading to statehood, for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
What is the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act?
In contrast to the Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act, the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2020, introduced by New York Representatives Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, provides for options other than statehood, including independence and a compact of free association.
How many referendums have been held in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has held six referendums on the topic. These are non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the US Congress. The most recent was in November 2020, with a majority (52.52%) of voters opting for statehood.
What was the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States?
Since the transfer of sovereignty of Puerto Rico from Spain to the United States, the relationship between Puerto Rico and the US has been debated by many. On April 11, 1899, the peace treaty between Spain and the USA (the 1898 Treaty of Paris) became effective, and established a military government in Puerto Rico. This was short lived, since the following year (April 2, 1900) Congress enacted the Foraker Act, which established a civil government and free trade between Puerto Rico and the USA. Puerto Ricans, although incapable of electing members of the territory's executive branch, but were now able to elect their local representatives and a resident commissioner to the US Congress, who had voice but no vote. In 1917, the enactment of the Jones-Shafroth Act the territory of Puerto Rico was organized and statutory US citizenship was granted to its residents.
How many people live in Puerto Rico in 2019?
As of 2019, the population of Puerto Rico is 3.2 million, around half the average state population and higher than that of 20 U.S. states. Competing options for the future political status of Puerto Rico include maintaining its current status, becoming fully independent, or becoming a freely associated state.
What does it mean to be a commonwealth?
It was in 1898, after the Spanish-American War that Puerto Rico first came under U.S. control. However, it was not until 1952 that it was officially approved under U.S. federal law, making Puerto Rico a commonwealth. For residents on the island, becoming part of a U.S.commonwealth meant:
The process for becoming a U.S. state
Ultimately it is up to Congress to admit new states via the “New States” clause found in the United States Constitution. As defined in a 1953 U.S. Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the requirement for statehood are:
When did Puerto Rico become a state?
After the Spanish-American war, the United States took control of Puerto Rico in 1898 . In 1917, Congress passed the Jones–Shafroth Act (the Jones Act) which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. Three years into the first World War, this allowed roughly 20,000 of the new American citizens to be drafted into service. Despite the fact the people of Puerto Rico set up their own government in the early 1950s, their relationship with the United States Federal government did not change. Since that time the island has had four referendums regarding their desire to become a U.S. state, none of which were legally binding, and none of which gained much traction. In 1967 and 1993 Puerto Rican’s voted to remain a commonwealth. On December 13, 1998 voters were given the choice between statehood, independence, free association, being a territorial commonwealth, or “none of the above”. In the end, a slim majority of voters in that referendum selected “none of the above” (50.3%) according to CRS Report for Congress.
When did Puerto Rico hold another vote?
In 2012 Puerto Rico held another vote, this time with those advocating for statehood coming out victorious. Voters were asked two questions:
When did Puerto Rico become a state?
Before the United States annexed Puerto Rico in 1898 , statehood was a matter of when, not if: Every territory acquired by the United States would eventually become a state. But when it came to Puerto Rico, Congress balked. It postponed granting citizenship to Puerto Ricans, and the Supreme Court rubber-stamped the island’s unequal treatment, making clear that statehood was not necessarily in the cards. These choices reflected the openly racist attitudes of the time: As the court shamelessly put it in a 1901 decision, the United States should hesitate before granting citizenship, rights and equality to Puerto Ricans because they were an “alien” race.
How long has Puerto Rico been a state?
It has been 122 years. You don’t annex a place, make it your colony for nearly a century and a quarter, and then reject its people’s vote for statehood. The time for Puerto Rican statehood is now. Christina D. Ponsa-Kraus is a professor at Columbia Law School.
What percentage of Puerto Ricans voted for statehood?
Although 52 percent of Puerto Ricans voted for statehood, that percentage would almost certainly have been much higher if Congress had made clear before the vote that it stood ready and eager to welcome a state of Puerto Rico.
Why should the United States hesitate before granting citizenship, rights and equality to Puerto Ricans?
These choices reflected the openly racist attitudes of the time: As the court shamelessly put it in a 1901 decision, the United States should hesitate before granting citizenship, rights and equality to Puerto Ricans because they were an “alien” race.
Can Puerto Ricans vote for the president?
But unlike their fellow citizens, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the president, or for senators or representatives (except for one nonvoting “ resident commissioner ”). Instead, voters there were asked whether they wanted Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the union: “yes” or “no.”. They chose “yes.”. With this historic vote, Puerto Ricans have ...
Do Puerto Ricans pay federal taxes?
Moreover, Puerto Ricans already pay for their federal tax break with significantly reduced federal benefits. Besides, according to estimates from the Tax Policy Center, over 40 percent of all households in the states will not earn enough money this year to owe federal income taxes.
Does Puerto Rico pay taxes?
For starters, although residents of Puerto Rico do not pay federal income taxes on local income, they do contribute to the federal treasury through other taxes, such as payroll taxes. Between 1998 and 2006, Puerto Rico contributed over $4 billion annually to the federal treasury — more than six states of the Union.
List of The Pros of Puerto Rico Statehood
List of The Cons of Puerto Rico Statehood
A Final Thought About Puerto Rico’s Statehood