Political status of Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico. The Free Association would be based on a free and voluntary political association, the specific terms of which shall be agreed upon between the United States and Puerto Rico as sovereign nations. Such agreement would provide the scope of the jurisdictional powers that the People of Puerto Rico agree to confer to the United States and retain all other jurisdictional powers and authorities. Under this option the American citizenship would be subject to negotiation with the United States Government; (2) Proclamation of Independence, I demand that the United States Government, in the exercise of its power to dispose of territory, recognize the national sovereignty of Puerto Rico as a completely independent nation and that the United States Congress enact the necessary legislation to initiate the negotiation and transition to the independent nation of Puerto Rico. My vote for Independence also represents my claim to the rights, duties, powers, and prerogatives of independent and democratic republics, my support of Puerto Rican citizenship, and a "Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation" between Puerto Rico and the United States after the transition process

3400:, as well as Commonwealth of Puerto Rico income taxes. All federal employees, those who do business with the federal government, Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to the U.S., and some others (for example, Puerto Rican residents that are members of the U.S. military; and Puerto Rico residents who earned income from sources outside Puerto Rico) also pay federal income taxes. In addition, because the cutoff point for income taxation is lower than that of the U.S. IRS code, and because the per capita income in Puerto Rico is much lower than the average per capita income on the mainland, more Puerto Rico residents pay income taxes to the local taxation authority than if the IRS code were applied to the island. This occurs because "the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico government has a wider set of responsibilities than do U.S. State and local governments". As residents of Puerto Rico pay into Social Security, Puerto Ricans are eligible for Social Security benefits upon retirement, but are excluded from the 2971:(P.L. 600) as a gimmick to maintain the colonial status of PR "The U.S. Congress, however, carefully preserved its exclusive right to alter the political status of Puerto Rico. Some saw the commonwealth as at best as temporary arrangement or at worst as a relic of the old colonial past." They also point to the fact that no change in the political status of Puerto Rico is possible unless authorized by the U.S. Congress as proof of the real current status. Rivera Ramos argues that the "deepest question pertains to the source of rights and the source of authority to govern...In the case of territories, the rights deemed to apply to their people, as well as those denied them, have their source in a constitution they have not approved nor have the power to amend". 1153: 46: 1287: 2574:(3) full integration with another nation on the basis of equality). The report concluded that Puerto Rico "remains an unincorporated territory and does not have the status of 'free association' with the United States as that status is defined under United States law or international practice", and that the establishment of local self-government with the consent of the people can be unilaterally revoked by the U.S. Congress. The application of the U.S. Constitution applies partially to Puerto Rico by the 9690: 9702: 9678: 533: 2598:

for the United States to expedite the process to allow self-determination in Puerto Rico. The group called on the United States to expedite a process that would allow the people of Puerto Rico to exercise fully their right to self-determination and independence. ... allow the Puerto Rican people to take decisions in a sovereign manner and to address their urgent economic and social needs, including unemployment, marginalization, insolvency and poverty".

3033:, which Congress deemed incorporated territories and slated for annexation to the Union from the start, Puerto Rico was kept "unincorporated" specifically to avoid offering it statehood. And Myriam Marquez has stated that Puerto Ricans "fear that statehood would strip the people of their national identity, of their distinct culture and language". Ayala and Bernabe add that the "purpose of the inclusion of U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans in the 2725: 880:) reads: "The term 'Commonwealth' does not describe or provide for any specific political status or relationship. It has, for example, been applied to both states and territories. When used in connection with areas under U.S. sovereignty that are not states, the term broadly describes an area that is self-governing under a constitution of its adoption and whose right of self-government will not be unilaterally withdrawn by Congress." 2510:" Though the subject continues to be debated in many forums it is clear that (1) the current territorial status has not satisfied Puerto Rican political leaders, and (2) that despite the divergent views that Puerto Ricans have with respect to their preferred political status, 'all factions agree on the need to end the present undemocratic arrangement whereby Puerto Rico is subject to the laws of Congress but cannot vote in it.' 901:, under whose Department resided responsibility of Puerto Rican affairs, clarified the new commonwealth label by stating, "The bill (to permit Puerto Rico to write its own constitution) merely authorizes the people of Puerto Rico to adopt their own constitution and to organize a local government. ... The bill under consideration would not change Puerto Rico's political, social, and economic relationship to the United States." 2783: 2684: 2835: 3409:

population of the island is greater than that of 50% of the States, if it were a state, Puerto Rico would have six to eight seats in the House, in addition to the two seats in the Senate. Another misconception is that the import/export taxes collected by the U.S. on products manufactured in Puerto Rico are all returned to the Puerto Rico Treasury. This is not the case. Such import/export taxes are returned

3092:, the belief that Puerto Rico cannot survive on its own results from teachings since grade school. "Puerto Ricans here and in Puerto Rico are taught three things: Puerto Rico is small and the U.S. is big, Puerto Rico is poor and the U.S. is rich, Puerto Rico is weak and the U.S. is strong." This theory of non-sustainability is not new; it has been held by various groups at least since the 1930s. 1212: 3191: 894:), states that the use of the term "commonwealth" is a label that "can deceive and obscure the true nature of things". He states that Puerto Rico is obviously not a state, and that "neither Puerto Rico's status nor its relationship with the U.S. supports any legitimate claim that a British type of 'commonwealth' exists between Puerto Rico and the United States". 2986:

States, and (3) U.S. statehood. The three options in the plebiscite also correspond to the options that the United Nations has identified as the options for decolonizing a territory." (HR 2499, section 2(c) ) clearly include content to satisfy the United Nations demand for decolonizing a territory. In addition to judicial decisions like the 1993

1049:, 258 U.S. 298, 305 (1922), explained the distinction between an incorporated and a non-incorporated territory. Juan R. Torruella restated it this way, "an unincorporated territory is a territory as to which, when acquired by the United States, no clear intention was expressed that it would eventually be incorporated into the Union as a State". 4488: (1968). However, the size of the jury, as well as the requirement that it unanimously reach its verdict, vary between federal and state courts. Even so, the Supreme Court has ruled that a jury in a criminal case may have as few as six members. If there are twelve, only nine jurors need agree on a verdict. See, 800:, whether or not authorized by Congress, while they reflect public sentiment, and thus bear some impact, can be ignored by Congress. Ultimately, the results of Puerto Rican plebiscites are opinions, although congressional resolutions have expressed support for following the will of the Puerto Rican people. 2919:) claim Puerto Rico is still a colony despite the UN's removing Puerto Rico from its list of non self-governing countries in 1953. Others (notably those who vote for the current commonwealth status option) argue that Puerto Rico is not a colony because the UN has not revoked its resolution after 55 years. 2506:

Resolution 748 prompted the United Nations to agree on governing arrangements that would provide full self-government to non-self-governing territories: in United States terms, these arrangements were statehood, independence, and free association. Yet, under international law, a freely associated state is

2497:(under article 73(e) of the Charter of the United Nations). The resolution passed, garnering a favorable vote from some 40% of the General Assembly, with over 60% abstaining or voting against it (20 to 16, plus 18 abstentions). Today, however, the UN "still debates whether Puerto Rico is a colony" or not. 6952:

1993-07-13. Puerto Rico Self-Determination Part I. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs of the Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives. 103rd Congress, First Session. On H. Con. Res. 94: Expressing the Sense of the Congress Regarding the Expression of Self-determination

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n unincorporated United States insular area, of which there are currently thirteen, three in the Caribbean (Navassa Island, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands) and ten in the Pacific (American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway

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Those who claim Puerto Rico is still a colony argue that Puerto Rico was vested with the commonwealth status by the U.S. Congress to give the appearance of self-government but that genuine decolonization never occurred. These supporters claim that the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1947 allowed

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In 1972, the UN set a precedent when, after approving Puerto Rico's association with the United States in 1953 as sufficient evidence to remove PR from the list of Colonized Countries, the United Nations reopened the matter in 1972 and it is still under review. "Failure to include independence as an

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When asked, in non-binding plebiscites, to choose between independence, statehood, or continuation of the status quo with enhanced powers, as proposed by the PPD, Puerto Ricans have voted to remain a commonwealth. In the penultimate plebiscite in 1998, Puerto Ricans voted for "none of the above" by a

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In a 2016 Economist/YouGov poll, 29% supported statehood, 25% believed Puerto Rico should retain its present status, 20% believed it should be an independent nation, and 26% were not sure. However, only 43% knew that a person born in Puerto Rico is an American citizen, with 41% believing that person

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The views of the 484 Puerto Ricans in the survey found broad support among them for the holding of a plebiscite on the future political status of Puerto Rico. While 73% were in favor of such a vote, they were split on the options to be voted upon. Those supporting the 2005 proposal made by the White

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The preamble of the Commonwealth constitution approved by the people of Puerto Rico in 1952 in part reads: "We consider as determining factors in our life our citizenship of the United States of America and our aspiration continually to enrich our democratic heritage in the individual and collective

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The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization has often referred to Puerto Rico as a nation in its reports, because, internationally, the people of Puerto Rico are often considered to be a Caribbean nation with their own national identity. In a June 2016 report, the Special Committee called

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stated, "Puerto Rico's current status does not meet the criteria for any of the options for full self-government under Resolution 1541" (the three established forms of full self-government being stated in the report as (1) national independence, (2) free association based on separate sovereignty, or

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In general, three main alternatives were presented to Puerto Rican voters in status plebiscites: full independence, maintenance or enhancement of the current commonwealth status, and U.S. statehood. The exact expectations for each of these status formulas are a matter of debate by a given position's

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but the United States has blocked General Assembly action and stopped cooperating with the Decolonization Committee. On August 23, 1973, the United States vigorously opposed that members of Puerto Rico's independence movement be allowed to speak at the UN. The U.S. position has not been that Puerto

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On June 22, 2023, while Puerto Rico currently enjoys the status of a free state associated with the United States, the UN Special Committee once again calls on the Government of the United States to assume its responsibility and to take measures that allow the Puerto Rican people to exercise their

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Statehood might be useful as a means of dealing with the financial crisis, since it would allow for bankruptcy and the relevant protection. According to the Government Development Bank, this might be the only solution to the debt crisis. Congress has the power to vote to allow Chapter 9 protection

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and, in 1952, the people of Puerto Rico ratified a constitution establishing a republican form of government for the island. After being approved by Congress and the President in July 1952 and thus given force under federal law (P.L. 82-447), the new constitution went into effect on July 25, 1952.

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2011-06-20. Special Committee on Decolonization Calls on United States, in Consensus Text, to Speed up Process Allowing Puerto Rico to Exercise Self-Determination: Nearly 25 Petitioners Underscore Gravity of Situation on Island, Buckling Under Economic Strain; Vigorous Opposition to Death Penalty

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Those claiming it is still a colony point to Congress legislating for Puerto Rico, and to bills where text such as those authorizing plebiscites in Puerto Rico (example "to conduct a second plebiscite between the options of (1) independence, (2) national sovereignty in association with the United

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However, Puerto Rico's political status is still debated in many international forums, possibly in part because of the circumstances surrounding the vote: "Under United States pressure, General Assembly Resolution 748 passed—though only narrowly and with many countries abstaining. The debate over

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With my vote, I make the initial request to the Federal Government to begin the process of the decolonization through: (1) Free Association: Puerto Rico should adopt a status outside of the Territory Clause of the Constitution of the United States that recognizes the sovereignty of the People of

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Commonwealth partisans argue that Puerto Rico cannot afford statehood, that post-war economic growth in Puerto Rico was the result of special treatment via exemption from Federal corporate taxes. Statehooders respond that such tax exemptions primarily benefit the large industrialists and not the

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Thus, in the end, U.S. citizenship has had multiple meanings for Puerto Ricans. For some it is a welcome link to the United States, regardless of the political status of the territory. For others, it has been nothing more than an imposed identity by an imperial power. Still others regard it as a

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had already said that there was no connection between the extension of citizenship to Puerto Ricans and the prospect of admission of Puerto Rico into the American Union. "I believe the demand for citizenship is just, and amply earned by the sustained loyalty on the part of the inhabitants of the

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The General Assembly did not apply its full list of criteria to Puerto Rico for determining whether or not self-governing status had been achieved. The UN's Committee on Non-Self-Governing States recently unanimously agreed to ask the General Assembly to take up the issue of Puerto Rico. In June

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was to offer only two options: Statehood and Independence/Free Association. If the majority favor Independence/Free Association, a second vote will be held to determine the preference: full independence as a nation or associated free state status with independence but with a "free and voluntary

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was held on June 11, 2017, in which voters had three options: "Statehood", "Free Association/Independence" or "Current Territorial Status". While 97% of voters chose "Statehood", turnout was only 23% (the lowest in history) due to a boycott from pro-Independence and pro-Commonwealth supporters.

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While in an international sense Porto Rico (sic) was not a foreign country, since it was subject to the sovereignty of and was owned by the United States, it was foreign to the United States in a domestic sense, because the island has not been incorporated into the United States, but was merely

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At approximately the same time as the referendum, Puerto Rico's legislators are also expected to vote on a bill that would allow the Governor to draft a state constitution and hold elections to choose senators and representatives to the federal Congress. Regardless of the outcome of the votes,

3864:> Committee Reports > 110 > drop down "Word/Phrase" and pick "Report Number" > type "597" next to Report Number. This will provide the document "House Report 110-597 – Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007", then from the Table of Contents choose "Background and Need for Legislation".) 3234:

conducted an opinion survey over the Internet of a broad cross-section of stateside Puerto Rican community leaders and activists across the United States. The survey had a total of 574 respondents, including 88 non-Puerto Rican members of the Institute's national network of community leaders.

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funding it would normally receive if it were a U.S. state. Also, Medicare providers receive less-than-full state-like reimbursements for services rendered to beneficiaries in Puerto Rico, even though the latter paid fully into the system. Additionally, it has been estimated that, because the

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In 1967 and 1993, Commonwealth (the name listed for current territorial status) won. In another plebiscite held on November 6, 2012, 54% of respondents voted to reject the current status under the territorial clause of the U.S. Constitution. In a second question, 61% favored statehood as the

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was an attempt by Congress to block independence and perpetuate Puerto Rico in its colonial status". Proponents of the citizenship clause in the Jones Act argue that "the extension of citizenship did not constitute a promise of statehood but rather an attempt to exclude any consideration of

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Special Committee on Decolonization Calls on United States, in Consensus Text, to Speed up Process Allowing Puerto Rico to Exercise Self-Determination: Nearly 25 Petitioners Underscore Gravity of Situation on Island, Buckling Under Economic Strain; Vigorous Opposition to Death Penalty Also

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does not apply directly or uniformly in U.S. territories in the same way it does in the U.S. states. As a territory, Puerto Rico enjoys various "fundamental rights" of U.S. citizenship, but lacks certain others. For instance, in contrast to U.S. states, Puerto Rico residents cannot vote in

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2007-02-07. Text of H.R. 900: Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007. Union Calendar No. 370. 110th CONGRESS, 2d Session. H.R. 900. Report No. 110-597. To provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico. In the House of Representatives. (February 7,

3149:, a leading cultural institution in Puerto Rico, 93 percent of respondents indicated that they would not relinquish Spanish as their language if Puerto Rico ever became a state of the American Union, even if the United States required English as the only official language of the Island. 6847:

2006-06-13. Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Text Calling on United States to Expedite Puerto Rican Self-determination Process. Draft Resolution Urges Probe of Pro-Independence Leader's Killing, Human Rights Abuses; Calls for Clean-up, Decontamination of Vieques. (June 13,

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ruled that a sequence of prior Congressional actions had had the cumulative effect of changing Puerto Rico's status to incorporated. However, as of April 2011 the issue had not yet made its way through the courts:. As of August 2021, the U.S. government still considered Puerto Rico as

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wrote a book that referred to it as the "oldest colony in the world". Those who argue that Puerto Rico is still a colony insist that despite the UN resolution, Puerto Rico remains what some call a "post-colonial colony". Defenders of this point of view argue that Puerto Rico has less

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Rico is not a territory; rather, the U.S. position of record, based on General Assembly Resolution 748, is that the Decolonization Committee lacks jurisdiction, that the matter is one for the United States and Puerto Rico to resolve, and that Puerto Rico has not sought a new status."

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island. But it should be remembered that the demand must be entirely dissociated from any thought of statehood". President Taft's views in 1912 became a Supreme Court opinion when, in 1922, as Chief Justice, Taft wrote the opinion on Balzac, the last of the so-called Insular Cases.

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stated, "Only through a great unified movement looking beyond political and ideological differences, can the prevalent fears of hunger and persecution be overcome for the eventual liberation of Puerto Rico, breaking through domination by the greatest imperialist power of our age."

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without the need for statehood, but in late 2015 there was very little support in the House for this concept. Other benefits to statehood include increased disability benefits and Medicaid funding, the right to vote in presidential elections and the higher (federal) minimum wage.

2459:, that Puerto Rico is a territory and lacks sovereignty. The opinion of the court stated: "Back of the Puerto Rican people and their Constitution, the 'ultimate' source of prosecutorial power remains the U. S. Congress, just as back of a city’s charter lies a state government." 3226:

and others has increased, especially given that there have been three voting members of the U.S. Congress who are stateside Puerto Ricans (two from New York City and one from Chicago), in contrast to Puerto Rico's single Resident Commissioner in the U.S. Congress with no vote.

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Contrary to common misconception, residents of Puerto Rico do pay U.S. federal taxes: customs taxes (some of which (see note about rum taxes below) are subsequently returned to the Puerto Rico Treasury), import/export taxes, and federal commodity taxes. Residents pay federal

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has considered four major bills on Puerto Rico's political status. Puerto Rican status referendums have been held four times to determine the desired political status of Puerto Rico in relation to the United States of America. None of them have been binding on U.S. Congress.

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1997-03-19. 1997 Puerto Rico Status Hearing before the Committee on Resources, House of Representatives. 105th Congress. First Session on H.R. 856, "A Bill to Provide a Process Leading to Full Self-government for Puerto Rico". (March 19, 1997) — Washington, D.C. (Serial No.

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adherents and detractors. Puerto Ricans have proposed positions that modify the alternatives above: indemnified independence with phased-out U.S. subsidy, expanded political but not fiscal autonomy, statehood with a gradual phasing out of industrial federal tax incentives.

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subsequently declared, "For an American citizen, there cannot be another political goal other than equality with his or her fellow American citizens. To seek other solutions – to repudiate equality – is to repudiate the natural destiny of American citizenship."

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was strongly in favor of statehood to help develop the economy and help to "solve our 500-year-old colonial dilemma ... Colonialism is not an option .... It’s a civil rights issue ... 3.5 million citizens seeking an absolute democracy," he told the news media.

961:, 182 U.S. 1 (1901) A plaintiff challenged the imposition of duties for the import of sugar from Puerto Rico to the United States proper. The Court sided with the plaintiff holding that Puerto Rico was not a "foreign country" and hence the duties were invalid. 1165:, with the implication that the U.S. Congress can unilaterally revoke the American citizenship of those born there, either individually or collectively. Puerto Ricans are also covered by a group of "fundamental civil rights" but, because Puerto Rico is an 4092:

Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Text Calling on United States to Expedite Puerto Rican Self-determination Process: Draft Resolution Urges Probe of Pro-Independence Leader's Killing, Human Rights Abuses; Calls for Clean-up, Decontamination of

2446:, 831 F.2d 1164, 1176 (1st Cir. 1987) (Torruella, J., concurring), cert. denied, 486 U.S. 1034 (1988)), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 11 10 (1994).9 An Act of Congress is therefore ultimately required to modify the current political status of Puerto Rico. 2466:

The first vote is scheduled for August 4, 2024, where Puerto Ricans will have the choice between four alternatives: annexation to the United States, independence, sovereignty in free association, and a free state associated with the United States.

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The United Nations has intervened in the past to evaluate the legitimacy of Puerto Rico's political status, to ensure that the island's government structure complies with the standards of self-government that constitute the basic tenets of the

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Hearings Before the U.S. Senate, Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act and Other Internal Security Laws of the Committee of the Judiciary. 94th Congress. First Session, part 6. July 30, 1975. (Washington,

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The list of factors for determining when a colony has achieved a full measure of self-government appears in Resolution 1541 (XV) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 15 UN GAOR Supplement (No. 16) at 29, UN Document A/4684 (1960).

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Internationally, several organizations have called for the U.S. government to expedite the process to allow self-determination in Puerto Rico while considering Puerto Rico a Caribbean nation with its own national identity. For instance, the

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and Bartholomew H. Sparrow also determined that "Most Puerto Ricans consider themselves a distinct national group." They also observed that both Americans and Puerto Ricans see themselves as separate cultures—"even separate nationalities".

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House Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status that the vote be ultimately limited to the options of statehood versus independence made up 31% of the total respondents. 43% supported including the commonwealth option in the proposed plebiscite.

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Though politically associated with the United States, Puerto Rico is considered by many other nations to have its own distinct national identity. Internationally, it has been reported that "the Fourteenth Ministerial Conference of the

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Text of Law #283 of 2011, ordering the 2012 Political Status plebiscite, and which provides a fairly complete picture of the events related to Puerto Rico's political status that have taken place since the 1898 U.S. annexation of the

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2009-06-15. Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Text Calling on United States to Expedite Self-determination Process for Puerto Rico. Members Hear Petitioners Speak up for Independence, Statehood, Free Association. (June 15,

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since 1952, Puerto Rico today is torn by profound ideological rifts, as represented by its political parties, which stand for three distinct future political scenarios: the status quo (commonwealth), statehood, and independence. The

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recognized Puerto Rico's self-government on November 27, 1953, with Resolution 748 (VIII). (UN Resolution "748 (VIII)", adopted on November 27, 1953, during its 459th Plenary Meeting.) This removed Puerto Rico's classification as a

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The issue is debated and is on the agenda of all the political parties and civil society groups. Several pro-commonwealth leaders within the PPD are proposing an Associated Republic or Free Association similar to that of the former

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2010-06-21. Special Committee on Decolonization Passes Text Urging General Assembly to Consider Formally Situation Concerning Puerto Rico: Draft Resolution Calls on United States to Expedite Island's Self-Determination. (June 21,

1084:(SSI) payments to the aged and benefits to children and the poor who reside in Puerto Rico, even in the case of an insured who had worked all his life as a resident of the States proper but then moved to live in Puerto Rico. (see 706:

has called for the United States "to allow the Puerto Rican people to take decisions in a sovereign manner, and to address their urgent economic and social needs, including unemployment, marginalization, insolvency and poverty."

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were clear in stating that there was no purpose in presenting the people of Puerto Rico a status definition which does not represent an option that the Congress will be willing to ratify should it be approved in a plebiscite."

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Various U.S. presidents have signed executive orders to help define, study, and generate activity regarding the political status of Puerto Rico. Three major orders were the 2005, 2007, and 2011 executive orders to establish the

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recognized Puerto Rico's self-government on November 27, 1953, with Resolution 748. This side points out that such recognition removed Puerto Rico's classification as a non-self-governing territory (under article 73(e) of the

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that would be negotiated between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. That document might cover topics such as the role of the U.S. military in Puerto Rico, the use of the U.S. currency, free trade between the two entities, and whether

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asked Americans: "Do you personally think Puerto Rico: Should become a completely independent nation; should remain a territory of the United States, or, should be admitted to the United States as the fifty-first state?"

3218:, there have been demands that stateside Puerto Ricans be allowed to vote in these plebiscites on the political status of Puerto Rico. Since the 1990s, the role of stateside Puerto Ricans in advocating for Puerto Rico in 1790: 1522: 3179:, which, at Article 25, states that "very citizen shall have the right and the opportunity...o vote and to be elected at genuine and periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage", is self-executing. 4027: 3278:

In a 2007 Opinion Dynamics/Fox News poll, 46% of Americans preferred Puerto Rico continue to be a U.S. territory, 30% believed it should be a state, 11% believed it should be an independent nation, and 13% didn't know.

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Considered the leading Insular case, concluded that the United States could acquire territory and exercise unrestricted power in determining what rights to concede to its inhabitants. It included the "fateful phrase"

3860:(Note that for the official U.S. Congress database website, you will need to resubmit a query. The document in question is called "House Report 110-597 – Puerto Rico Democracy Act of." These are the steps to follow: 3005:

ordered that a non-binding plebiscite regarding Puerto Rico status be held concurrent with the general elections on November 5. The plebiscite would offer a choice between three options: statehood, independence, and

1597: 1592: 3404:(SSI); Commonwealth of Puerto Rico residents, unlike residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and residents of the 50 States, do not receive the SSI. The island receives less than 15% of the 4077:

Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Text Calling on United States to Expedite Self-determination Process for Puerto Rico: Members Hear Petitioners Speak up for Independence, Statehood, Free Association.

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In 1917, "The Evening journal" newspaper stated, "United States colonies have responded enthusiastically to his call for recruits" with an image of Puerto Ricans ready to go to Panama to guard the Canal for the

2480:, its covenants, and its principles of international law. Some authorities, such as Trias Monge, argue that Puerto Rico "clearly does not meet the decolonization standards set by the United Nations in 1960". 5024: 926:

to the territories. However, the Court in these cases also established the doctrine of territorial incorporation. Under the same, the Constitution only applied fully in incorporated territories such as

2092:. The voters were asked, “Should Puerto Rico be admitted immediately into the Union as State?”. The “Yes” option received 52.52% of the vote. The “No” option received 47.48% and turnout was at 54.72%. 2396: 4028:

United Nations. General Assembly. Special Committee on the Situation With Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (1971).

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Since the Insular Cases had established that only those rights in the U.S. Bill of Rights that are determined to be "fundamental" are applicable in unincorporated territories, the implications of

5428:"Special Committee on Decolonization Calls on United States to Expedite Puerto Rico's Self-Determination Process – General Assembly GA/COL/3160 – Department of Public Information – June 14, 2007" 2990:

decision, which stated that Congress may unilaterally repeal the Puerto Rican Constitution or the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act and replace them with any rules or regulations of its choice.

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before gaining its independence from the United States in 1947 and becoming a republic, prior to which the U.S. Supreme Court had declared it was an unincorporated territory of the United States.

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Brands, H.W.; Burnett, Christina Duffy; Currie, David P.; Freehling, William W.; Go, Julian; Graber, Mark A.; Kens, Paul; Lawson, Gary; Onuf, Peter S.; Ramos, Efrén Rivera; Seidman, Guy (2005).

5342:"Special Committee on Decolonization Calls on United States to Epedite Puerto Rico's Self-Determination Process – General Assembly GA/COL/3160 – Department of Public Information – June 14, 2007" 7194: 1732: 1149:. For example, the Island's government is not fully autonomous, and a degree of federal presence in the Island is commonplace, including a branch of the United States Federal District Court. 303: 285: 4777: 7914: 6809:

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and does not have the status of 'free association' with the U.S. as defined under United States law or international practice.

6526:"With the military invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898 the United States (U.S.) initiated a colonization effort that made English the official language of the island." Retrieved March 12, 2010 3073:

useful asset that provides access to certain rights and tangible benefits and opportunities. And there are those that cherish it as a constituent element of their self-image and identity.

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did in 1945) or, under the authority of the Admissions Clause (Art. IV, Sec. 3, cl. 1) for it to be admitted as a state of the United States (with a vote of Congress in the same way that

2380: 2361: 2670:, with the Republican Party platform explicitly mentioning support for statehood and the Democratic Party platform expressing explicitly broader support for right to self-determination. 2040:

slight majority. While 50.3% of them voted for the status quo, it has been asserted that "the oldest strategy for governing recalcitrant subjects—divide and conquer—was subtly at work."

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to a plebiscite would save the people of Puerto Rico the grief of an emotionally draining and politically divisive vote that might result in a status not acceptable to Congress. Former

1622: 1617: 1612: 1607: 1602: 1657: 1647: 1642: 267: 3081:

Statehood supporters contend that Puerto Rico cannot become a fully independent republic because there will be economic chaos due to insufficient natural resources, especially food.

750:

held in 1991 sought to amend the relationship through an amendment to the Puerto Rican constitution. Each time, the results favored retaining the current status over the possible

4803: 4723: 2462:

In September 2023, legislation providing for a two-round consultation process to decide the territorial status of Puerto Rico was reintroduced in the United States Congress by

909:

It has been said that "any inquiry into Puerto Rico's status must begin with the Constitution of the United States, as well as various Supreme Court and lower court decisions".

8279: 6087:"Executive Order of the Governor of Puerto Rico, The Hon. Pedro D. Pierluisi, to Call a Ballot Measure Election to Implement The Petition for Statehood of the 2020 Plebescite" 2554:'s decolonization and for the United States to recognize the island's right to self-determination and independence. Most recently, the Decolonization Committee called for the 5519:"1541 (XV). Principles which should guide Members in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the Charter" 2930:

self-determination than before the U.S. invasion—it no longer has its own Puerto Rican citizenship, free maritime control, nor congressional representation as it did in the

2644:

At the local level, it has been observed that Puerto Ricans "consider themselves a territorially distinct national unit, a nation defined by its cultural distinctiveness".

2315:, and 5.6% chose independence. Because there were almost 500,000 blank ballots, creating confusion as to the voters' true desire, Congress decided to ignore the vote. The 891: 294: 276: 7996: 8001: 4031:

Report of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

3049:

has been seen, ever since, as the key that would eventually guarantee statehood for the island, as soon as the people of Puerto Rico demanded equality in citizenship.

1994: 8096: 7436: 7306: 5303: 2978:

have asserted that Puerto Rico is no longer a colony, contending that the advent of the Commonwealth brought about a new, quasi-autonomous structure within the U.S.

1936: 1140: 5628:

in "The Perplexing Hemisphere." Revista/Review Interamericana. Vol. XXX, No. 1-4 (2002), pp. 1–4. Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. San German, Puerto Rico.

3175:

Court determines that, contrary to current Circuit precedent, the Constitution does not prohibit extending such rights "under another source of law", (2) that the

2442:, 992 F.2d 1143, 1152–53 (11th Cir. 1993), "Congress continues to be the ultimate source of power pursuant to the Territory Clause of the Constitution". (quoting 3522: 8686: 7566: 2987: 2562: 1886: 1846: 9445: 8173: 7941: 7775: 7431: 6658: 4467: 1828: 1823: 1818: 1813: 1808: 1162: 258: 115: 2994:

right to self-determination and independence, as well as to make sovereign decisions, in order to urgently meet the economic and social needs of the country.

912:

Almost immediately after Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States, Puerto Rico's political status was defined by a series of landmark decisions made by the

8462: 8029: 7919: 4478: 3103:, an island nation approximately 1/14th the size of Puerto Rico with a drastically higher level of population density and fewer natural resources, but has a 2494: 1109: 947:. Although other cases followed, strictly speaking the Insular Cases are the original six opinions issued concerning acquired territories as a result of the 648: 4367:

Christina Duffy Burnett and Burke Marshall, "Between the Foreign and the Domestic: The Doctrine of Territorial Incorporation, Invented and Reinvented". In,

2793: 9518: 7797: 5492: 3176: 2368: 1086: 887: 238: 212: 125: 6744: 6588: 9606: 9440: 7834: 1949: 1785: 1780: 1775: 1770: 1765: 1517: 160: 8374: 8232: 6781:"An Overview of the Special Tax Rules Related to Puerto Rico and an Analysis of the Tax and Economic Policy Implications of Recent Legislative Options" 2591: 2570: 2386: 1712: 1707: 703: 194: 4500:

U.S. citizens or "qualified aliens" resident of one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for SSI.

17: 7936: 7723: 3903: 1898: 1853: 564: 93: 3247:

In a 1991 Gallup Poll more than 60% of Americans said they would support independence or statehood if a majority of Puerto Ricans voted for either.

2543:

option and harassment of pro-independence organizations were reasons for the United Nations' recent reconsideration of the status of Puerto Rico".

742:

constitution in 1952, the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico presented its voters with plebiscites regarding the political status of its

8428: 8401: 7718: 5474: 5321:"US Congress (Thomas Online Query Database), House Report 110-597 – Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007. Background and Need for Legislation section" 4781: 4221: 3948:, in the future the Supreme Court will be called upon to reexamine the Insular Cases doctrine as applied to Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. 2742: 2697: 1918: 1908: 1903: 1893: 1873: 1868: 1863: 1858: 1244: 4749: 4586: 3171:

reconsideration, the United States could be required to extend full voting representation to the United States citizens in Puerto Rico if (1) the

2915:

Controversy exists surrounding the "real" political status of Puerto Rico, with some calling it a colony and others disagreeing. Some (especially

8776: 8736: 7072: 5737: 5451: 5244: 1166: 877: 6636: 4110:"Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Text Calling upon United States Government to Expedite Self-Determination Process for Puerto Rico" 2414:

It has been asserted that, since Congress must approve of any political status change for Puerto Rico, congressional agreement to the options ,

8584: 7502: 6989: 5848: 2963:). They add that the Resolution has not been revoked even though Puerto Rico's political status is still debated in many international forums. 2438:

A catalyst for the legislative activity taking place in Congress was the release in December 2005 of the presidential task force's report. Per

2007:

Puerto Rico's main political issue is the territory's relationship with the United States. A United States territory since 1898, and known as "

1987: 1966: 3823: 1161:

People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens by birth, but that citizenship is protected only by an Act of the US Congress rather than by the

636:. The political status of the island thus illustrates how different Puerto Rico is, politically, from sovereign nations and from U.S. states. 9393: 8798: 8034: 7241: 5576: 5171:"Commonwealth of Puerto Rico vs Sanchez Valle, No. 15–108. (Argued January 13, 2016—Decided June 9, 2016) Supreme Court of the United States" 1585: 724: 597: 6311: 3731:"U.S. GAO – Puerto Rico: Fiscal Relations with the Federal Government and Economic Trends during the Phaseout of the Possessions Tax Credit" 2590:

has been considering the political status of Puerto Rico and how to assist it in achieving "independence" or "decolonization". In 1978, the

8416: 8013: 7829: 7770: 7353: 7311: 7067: 7062: 7057: 7052: 7047: 7042: 7037: 7032: 7027: 7022: 3917: 3165:, two of three members of the three-judge panel that dismissed the appeal on procedural grounds suggested in separate opinions that, in an 1429: 253: 4694: 4651: 9540: 9383: 9278: 9023: 8761: 7881: 7792: 7534: 7519: 7401: 6048:"Special Committee on Decolonization Approves Resolution Reaffirming Puerto Rico's Inalienable Right to Self-determination, Independence" 1479: 1464: 1454: 1419: 130: 6368: 5301:

UN Resolution 1514 (XV) of December 15, 1960. Listing of the full set of criteria that determines if a country or territory is a colony.

5153: 3906:, p.28: "The Congressional incorporation of Puerto Rico throughout the past century has extended the entire Constitution to the island". 3682: 9366: 8881: 8876: 8866: 8239: 7968: 7216: 4807: 4727: 4627: 3223: 2950:

The Autonomic Charter of 1897, which governed Puerto Rico's relation with Spain, could not be changed except with Puerto Rico's consent

1474: 221: 203: 4607: 4274: 3129:

After the invasion by the United States in 1898, the Americans made English the official language. In 1991 under the pro-Commonwealth

2327:

political association" between Puerto Rico and the United States. The specifics of the association agreement would be detailed in the

9722: 9535: 9478: 9371: 9200: 8642: 7145: 6072: 5815:"Guillermo Moscoso, "Facts Regarding Puerto Rican Citizenship." The San Juan Star, Viewpoint, Wednesday, September 17, 1997, page 58" 4953: 4559: 3339: 3104: 2968: 2566: 2322:

The previous plebiscites provided voters with three options: remain a Commonwealth, Statehood and Independence/Free Association. The

1980: 1233: 1201: 1009: 720: 489: 140: 5762: 5601:. March 4, 1998. Congressional Record. March 4, 1998. 105th Congress, Second Session. Volume 144, Issue No. 20. p. H821. 1900 Hours. 9582: 9378: 8871: 8359: 8299: 7859: 7514: 7406: 7256: 4610: 4591: 3968: 2809: 2069: 354: 171: 6916: 4984: 4239: 2311:, 54.0% of voters indicated "No" to maintaining the current political status. A full 61.1% of voters chose statehood, 33.3% chose 9488: 9461: 9420: 9415: 9388: 9318: 9205: 9001: 8808: 8396: 8220: 8118: 7750: 6682: 3349: 3130: 2017: 1913: 1680: 1572: 1567: 1562: 1557: 1552: 1547: 1542: 1035: 766: 429: 386: 249: 6519: 9589: 9298: 8981: 8886: 8716: 8664: 8625: 8192: 8187: 8041: 7978: 7931: 7909: 7874: 7529: 7385: 5631:

The cultural elites and intellectuals...view Puerto Rico as a "nation," in the sense of a distinct cultural-linguistic unit...

4898: 3652: 3423: 3359: 3214:

indicates that, as of 2007, 4.1 million Puerto Ricans lived in the mainland versus 3.9 million living in the Island. Since the

2975: 1439: 1434: 774: 434: 364: 185: 120: 5518: 9405: 9293: 9163: 9067: 8976: 8900: 8445: 8411: 7426: 7416: 7411: 7269: 7264: 7128: 7093: 4176: 3364: 2431: 1747: 1742: 1737: 1449: 557: 135: 6659:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130529005323/http://www.vocero.com/noticias-es/nuevamente-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-al-foto-federal

5603: 3145:, the law was reversed, and English was again reinstated as an official language alongside Spanish. In a 1993 survey by the 2934:. Trías Monge argues that just prior to the U.S. invasion, Puerto Rico enjoyed greater freedom and rights in certain areas: 9601: 9498: 9435: 9425: 9308: 9099: 9062: 8991: 8823: 8788: 8339: 8069: 7802: 7573: 7524: 7497: 7421: 7380: 3501: 3231: 3215: 3138: 3053: 2703: 2569:

and replace them with any rules or regulations of its choice. In a 1996 report on a Puerto Rico status political bill, the

2419: 2323: 2080: 2025: 1414: 778: 499: 448: 439: 359: 5300: 4249: 3844: 9557: 9545: 9483: 9240: 8731: 8630: 8227: 7886: 7782: 7666: 4489: 3334: 3002: 2547: 2535: 2399:) allows for Congress to "dispose of" Puerto Rico and allow it to become independent of the U.S. (in the same way as the 2308: 2141: 2136: 2131: 2126: 2121: 2116: 2085: 1499: 1494: 1489: 1484: 1469: 1459: 1444: 786: 663:

and belonging to the United States, but not a part of the United States within the revenue clauses of the Constitution".

167: 5851:

The Incarceration of Carlos Alberto Torres: After 30 Years in Prison, the Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Will Be Freed.

9530: 9471: 9356: 9351: 9288: 9050: 9011: 8971: 8818: 8771: 8751: 8364: 7991: 7986: 7891: 7839: 7368: 7123: 6982: 6770: 6295: 6257: 6202: 6168: 6117: 5977: 5916: 5879: 5855:"Every year for 29 years the United Nations Decolonization Committee has passed a resolution calling for independence." 5791: 5700: 4456: 4043: 3530: 1396: 1391: 1386: 1381: 1376: 1371: 1366: 1361: 1356: 1351: 1346: 1341: 1336: 1331: 1326: 1321: 1316: 1311: 1306: 1301: 1080:(SSI) to United States citizens who had relocated to Puerto Rico from the States. This ruling allowed Congress to deny 858: 751: 509: 5047: 4526: 3631: 2938:

The insular parliament could legislate in matters of monetary policy, banking, import/export duties, and public credit

9572: 9552: 9503: 9493: 9361: 9283: 9260: 9220: 9084: 9074: 8951: 8926: 8833: 8813: 8291: 8081: 7807: 7189: 4879: 4161: 3344: 3298: 2897: 2879: 2764: 2711: 2316: 1262: 1189: 782: 70: 6951: 6930: 6900: 6874: 6618:

Rivera Ramos, Efren (2005). "Puerto Rico's Political Status". In Sanford Levinson and Bartholomew H. Sparrow (ed.).

6086: 4830: 3999: 9577: 9523: 9508: 9410: 9245: 8721: 8674: 8669: 8571: 8498: 8198: 7963: 7492: 6585: 4857:"Incorporating the Lonely Star: How Puerto Rico Became Incorporated and Earned a Place in the Sisterhood of States" 3010:

with the U.S. For the first time the island's current status as a U.S. territory will not be offered as an option.

2663: 2659: 2625: 2021: 2012: 1667: 1662: 1652: 1535: 762: 739: 550: 452: 6139: 5195: 4325: 1184:

who has a voice in Congress (but no vote other than committee-level voting). Puerto Ricans must also serve in the

9611: 9400: 9341: 9250: 9141: 9116: 8613: 8603: 8168: 8086: 8024: 8008: 7854: 7849: 7613: 7593: 7583: 7578: 6312:"The Insular Cases: The Establishment of a Regime of Political Apartheid" (2007) Juan R. Torruella Pages 318–319" 3393: 3354: 2955: 2916: 2797: 2555: 2489: 2033: 674: 369: 3755: 2508:

a sovereign nation in a joint governing arrangement with another nation that either nation can unilaterally end.

1192:

in the mainland United States, with the same duties and obligations as U.S. citizens residing in the 50 states.

9594: 9268: 9215: 9131: 9121: 9089: 9018: 9006: 8961: 8848: 8746: 8608: 8528: 8518: 8304: 8161: 7864: 7822: 7765: 7539: 7450: 6808: 6499: 6398: 6356: 5092: 3158: 2746: 2049: 686: 504: 6880: 3780: 3206:(D-NY) (right) speaking at the Encuentro Boricua Conference at Hostos Community College in New York City, 2004 3099:

An example given by Angel Collado Schwarz, who believes the Island has the potential of supporting itself, is

9346: 9210: 9126: 9057: 9028: 8966: 8856: 8828: 8472: 7844: 7737: 6975: 5396:"Committee Calls for Fact Finding Mission to Visit Puerto Rico", U.N. Chronicle 16(6):25 (July–October 1979). 5115: 3606: 2960: 1725: 525: 411: 399: 374: 280: 4927: 4326:"Let Puerto Rico Decide How to end its Colony Status: True Nationhood Stands on the Pillar of Independence." 9641: 9634: 9567: 9430: 9313: 9235: 9225: 9079: 9040: 8996: 8956: 8913: 8861: 8793: 8766: 8726: 8704: 8513: 8327: 8274: 8207: 8064: 8020: 7948: 7869: 7787: 7598: 7462: 7291: 7199: 7007: 6865: 6574:

Ever since the United States occupied the Island in 1898 and declared English the only official language...

6538:"Reviewed work: The Movement against Teaching English in Schools of Puerto Rico, Edith Algren de Gutiérrez" 5387:"Puerto Ricans Must Approve Future Status-Decolonization Committee", U.N. Chronicle 15(9):35 (October 1978) 3401: 3324: 3309: 3057: 2455: 2089: 1424: 1170: 1128: 1081: 1077: 331: 216: 6940: 6702: 6144:

Myriam Marquez. Orlando Sentinel. 21 July 2002. Reprinted by "Puerto Rico Herald." Retrieved 22 June 2012.

5814: 5362: 4905: 4000:"XIV Ministerial Conference of the Movement of Non-Aligned Nations. Durban, South Africa, 2004. pp. 14–15" 3875:"Cessation of the transmission of information under Article 73 e of the Charter in Respect of Puerto Rico" 1173:. All residents must pay federal taxes but, for a variety of reasons, only some pay federal income taxes. 1152: 198: 9562: 9513: 9328: 9230: 9153: 9035: 8931: 8756: 8741: 8679: 8314: 8269: 8076: 7958: 7812: 5496: 3329: 3134: 2861: 2450: 2328: 1099: 625: 578: 494: 75: 59: 5646:

Puerto Ricans are a Caribbean people who regard themselves as citizens of a distinctive island nation...

5471: 4218: 3845:"Committee Reports, 110th Congress (2007-2008), House Report 110-597, Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007" 796:

ultimate governance of the island is retained by both the U.S. Congress and President. Thus, results of

9668: 9466: 9336: 9168: 9148: 9136: 8946: 8936: 8618: 8523: 8136: 8126: 7653: 7648: 7638: 7633: 7155: 6729: 5495:. Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, 105th Congress. April 19, 1997. Archived from 4760: 982: 793: 632:. On the other hand, and in contrast to U.S. states, only some residents of Puerto Rico are subject to 180: 110: 4617:

Government of Puerto Rico. State Electoral Commission. Nov 16 2012 9:59PM. Retrieved 18 November 2012.

4598:

Government of Puerto Rico. State Electoral Commission. Nov 16 2012 9:59PM. Retrieved 18 November 2012.

4332:. Republished by The Puerto Rico Herald. July 21, 2002. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved 21 June 2012. 3683:"Federal and Local Incentives | Where We Are, Where We Want To Be | If We Just Had A Crystal Ball ..." 3137:

Spanish was declared the only official language in the Island. Then, in 1993, under the pro-statehood

9045: 8351: 8156: 8151: 7713: 7167: 6633: 3964: 3019: 2923: 2922:

Some authors have called Puerto Rico "the world's oldest colony". (2001) Former chief justice of the

2390: 1227: 1146: 844: 644: 147: 6654: 5448: 5252: 5078:

Burnett, Christina Duffy; Marshall, Burke; Joseph, Gilbert M.; Rosenberg, Emily S. (July 20, 2001).

3928: 9158: 8538: 8508: 8503: 8493: 8259: 8215: 8056: 7817: 7603: 7467: 7281: 7221: 6958: 6418: 5741: 3827: 3580: 3397: 3304: 2079:

preferred alternative; however, when blank ballots were counted, statehood support dropped to 45%.

1278: 873: 837: 716: 673:

political activities regarding the status question have revolved around three sets of initiatives:

640: 601: 349: 324: 6718: 6606:

Memorando analitico sobre el estudio del idioma en Puerto Rico – Sometido a: Ateneo Puertorriqueño

6512:

The University of Puerto Rico: Colonialism and the Language of Teaching and Learning, 1903 – 1952.

5569: 4711:

Puerto Rico State Electoral Commission: Official Results for the 1998 Political-Status Plebiscite.

4710: 4680:

Puerto Rico State Electoral Commission: Official Results for the 1993 Political-Status Plebiscite.

4679: 4668:

Puerto Rico State Electoral Commission: Official Results for the 1967 Political-Status Plebiscite.

4667: 3187:{{More citations needed section|date=March 2009}} {{See also|Puerto Ricans in the United States}} 3146: 2423: 207: 45: 8652: 8388: 8146: 7113: 4906:"Make room for 51st star? Spending bill includes $ 2.5 million for vote on Puerto RIco statehood" 3314: 3293: 2801: 2735: 1237: 1027: 974: 965: 854: 817: 100: 36: 6390: 6384: 3918:"The Insular Cases: A Comparative Historical Study of Puerto Rico, Hawai'i, and the Philippines" 3199: 2947:

The Spanish Constitution applied in Puerto Rico in the same manner as it applied in Spain proper

9650: 9104: 8454: 8264: 8244: 8046: 7901: 7696: 7643: 7628: 7472: 7160: 6861: 4691: 4648: 3475: 3124: 3034: 2967:

the U.S. to continue its colonial policy of Puerto Rico in a post-colonial world. They see the

2666:) have expressed their support for the U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico to exercise their right to 2527:

approved a Concurrent Resolution urging the UN General Assembly to discuss Puerto Rico's case.

2477: 1185: 1120: 948: 289: 6886: 6475: 6244: 6104: 5964: 5866: 5623: 5170: 9303: 8986: 8101: 7658: 7623: 7618: 7561: 7544: 7274: 6832: 6514:

By Pablo Navarro-Rivera, School of Undergraduate Studies, Lesley College, Cambridge, MA. In,

6287: 6192: 6155: 5903: 5778: 5079: 4806:(in Spanish). Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico. November 8, 2012. Archived from 4780:(in Spanish). Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico. November 8, 2012. Archived from 4571: 4482: 4035: 3689: 3022: 2926: 2629: 1635: 1181: 1113: 1104: 1066: 1019: 1005:

The case created the constitutionally unprecedented category of "unincorporated territories".

770: 406: 176: 6846: 6839: 6825: 5683: 5427: 5341: 4089: 4074: 4058: 3798: 1064:

a fundamental right, and thus need not be given to criminal defendants in Puerto Rico. (see

444: 271: 9694: 9655: 8783: 8657: 8548: 7926: 7358: 7338: 7286: 7236: 7177: 7108: 5272:

U.S House of Representatives. 110th Congress. Second Session. Report #597. Washington, D.C.

4424:

Ed. by Christina Duffy Burnett and Burke Marshall. 2001. Duke University Press. p. 243. In

4282: 2613: 1045: 719:, and the archipelago has been under U.S. sovereignty since. In 1950, Congress enacted the 189: 6875:

1996-03-23. HR-3024, U.S.-Puerto Rico Political Status Act. San Juan, PR. (March 23, 1996)

5643:

Countries and Their Cultures: Culture of Puerto Rico. "Orientation: Identification." p. 1.

8: 9195: 9111: 8921: 8637: 8322: 7953: 7150: 6450:

p. 15. Puerto Rico: EMS Editores. Second Edition. 2019. Copyright by La Voz del Centro.

4473: 4383:

José Trías Monge. "Injustice According to Law: The Insular Cases and Other Oddities". In

3211: 3065: 2624:

Although Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a

2616:...reaffirms that Puerto Rican people constitute a Latin American and Caribbean nation." 932: 928: 731: 670: 591: 105: 5722: 4193:"Political Status of Puerto Rico: Background, Options, and Issues in the 109th Congress" 3210:

More Puerto Ricans live stateside in the U.S. than in Puerto Rico. A 2009 report by the

2558:

to review the political status of Puerto Rico, a power reserved by the 1953 resolution.

2340: 792:

Although Puerto Rico presently has a certain amount of local autonomy, according to the

298: 242: 9682: 8435: 8423: 8141: 8131: 8108: 8091: 7487: 7231: 7226: 7098: 6924: 6804:"Puerto Rico's Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite: Background and Key Questions." 6565: 6557: 6028: 5950:

Ed. by Christina Duffy Burnett and Burke Marshall. 2001. Duke University Press. p. 248.

5948: