Member-only story

Citizens But Not Americans: The Uncertain Future of Puerto Rico's Status

Benjamin Stone

·10.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Citizens But Not Americans: Race And Belonging Among Latino Millennials (Latina/o Sociology 8)

4 min read

97 View Claps

22 Respond

Save

Listen

Over 3 million Puerto Ricans are born with U.S. citizenship. However, they are not considered American citizens by the United States government, and their island is not treated as a state. It's the only place in the world where U.S. citizens are denied the full rights of citizenship.

This has been a source of frustration and resentment for many Puerto Ricans, who feel that they are being treated as second-class citizens. In recent years, the issue of Puerto Rico's status has become increasingly contentious, with some people calling for the island to become a state, while others advocate for independence.

Citizens but Not Americans: Race and Belonging among Latino Millennials (Latina/o Sociology 8)

Citizens but Not Americans: Race and Belonging among Latino Millennials (Latina/o Sociology Book 8)

by Nilda Flores-González

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	673 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	187 pages

The History of Puerto Rico's Status

Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, when it was acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War. For the first few decades of American rule, Puerto Rico was governed as a military colony. In 1917, the Jones Act granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship, but the island remained a territory.

In 1952, Puerto Rico adopted a constitution and became a self-governing commonwealth. This gave the island more autonomy, but it still did not have the same rights as states. For example, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for president or send full voting representatives to Congress.

The Current Debate over Puerto Rico's Status

The debate over Puerto Rico's status has been going on for decades, but it has intensified in recent years. In 2012, Puerto Rico held a referendum on whether to become a state, but the vote was inconclusive. In 2017, Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA),which created a fiscal control board to oversee the island's finances.

PROMESA has been controversial, with some people arguing that it is a form of colonialism. Others argue that it is necessary to help Puerto Rico recover from its economic crisis.

The Future of Puerto Rico's Status

The future of Puerto Rico's status is uncertain. The island is facing a number of challenges, including a severe economic crisis, a high crime rate, and a shrinking population. It is unclear whether Puerto Rico can become a state, or if it will remain a territory.

There are a number of different proposals for Puerto Rico's future. Some people believe that the island should become a state, while others advocate for independence. There is also a growing movement for Puerto Rico to become a sovereign nation in association with the United States, similar to the relationship between the United States and the Marshall Islands.

Ultimately, the future of Puerto Rico's status will be decided by the Puerto Rican people. They will need to decide whether they want to become a state, remain a territory, or become independent. It is a complex issue with no easy answers.

Citizens but Not Americans: Race and Belonging among Latino Millennials (Latina/o Sociology Book 8)

by Nilda Flores-González

4.5 out of 5