Puerto Rico is not a state, and you have to wonder why. Puerto Rico has been a territory of the United States since 1898 — more than 120 years. Territories usually become States more quickly than that. The video below explains U.S. territories clearly.
Territories must have a settled government before they can be considered for statehood. They need a large enough population: 60,000 has been the cut-off.
Statehood is granted by Federal law passed by a simple majority of both houses of Congress. Then the president signs the bill, and it’s time to break out the champagne and add another star to the flag.
Some States have taken longer than others to achieve statehood. Here are some of the laggards:
- New Mexico: 59 years
- Utah: 47 years
- Arkansas: 33 years
New Mexico was a Spanish-speaking territory, and some people in the United States were concerned about its cultural differences. Utah faced religious discrimination. Arkansas was a rather wild part of the Missouri Territory. Missouri cut Arkansas loose in its efforts to get statehood, and it took Arkansas another 15 years to get settled enough to achieve statehood for itself.
Puerto Rico has been a territory for over 120 years. Congress approved its constitution almost 70 years ago. It is now larger, more settled, and more integrated into the economic and political life of the nation than any previous territory.
It’s time for statehood
Puerto Rico has voted for statehood three times. Polls show that the American people, in Puerto Rico and in the states, favor statehood for Puerto Rico.
It’s time to recognize that Puerto Rico can only be a state or a nation, not some hybrid of the two. We favor statehood. It would help Puerto Rico economically, allow Puerto Ricans to maintain U.S. citizenship, and remove the United States from the difficult position of being a colonial power in the 21st century.
Let’s give up the fantasy options and work together for statehood. Join us today.
This post was originally written in English and may be being auto-translated by Google.
27 Responses
i am a filipino but is tired of our political situation since the time we received our independence from the americans. can we join the USA? annex our country please !
So true they are getting Puerto Rico island from Puerto Ricans the the land from our ansesters and our kids from the Demrats fraud and corruption
Over a hundred years is enough statehood now
Over a hundred years of a plan that will never come. Independence now.
On what type of economy will PR subsist as an independent nation?
I live in KY. I can hardly believe what I am reading from People who want independence. Ask for statehood and become a permanent part of US (pun intended.) I see Puerto Rico becoming the Hawaii of the Atlantic.
Mainlanders sometimes forget that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. Its sad but an awful truth. Statehood would bring more security and Representation in Congress. How can you not want to be represented in Congress? The national elections?
If we get another POTUS like Trump, he could literally sell your territory to another country. You have to become independent or become a state sooner rather than later.
Trump would never sell PR. Besides, he’d have to have approval from congress. Also, I’m in Kentucky & I know PR is a territory.
Want independence? Try Cuba and Venezuela for a couple of months, come back and tell me about it.
Good point! And where are those that promoted to kick the Navy out now. Did they help the Ceiba people? Nope. Area lost millions of $ beacause idealism that doesn’t work
I’m a Northern American that was born in a rainy cold land that no one cares about. I’m fine with independence for Puerto Rico especially if it means my tax dollars don’t bail it out ever again. Also if you have citizenship here, then I can have citizenship in your neighborhood too. Why not?
Little do you know? We are both U S citizens. Come visit us sometime. Speak English and use US currency. You don’t need a passport. It is sunny and warm. And you never bailed us out.
True! Statehood is well over due. I live in U.S. and why shouldn’t you all get to be an official state. 119 years is long enough wait.
Beautiful people with a wonderful spirit… nothing but LOVE
I served with some badass Marines from PR
Simple… because as long as the IRS continues to classify Puerto Rico as INTERNATIONAL instead of DOMESTIC… US Corporations get to evade US Federal (“DOMESTIC”) Taxes. (…and I guess !@#$ the “equal” US citizens of Puerto Rico).
This whole status thing is nothing more than repudiant hog feasting on its own corrupt principles.
All US Companies in PR evade Taxes. Walmart PR is a subsidiary of Walmart US. Therefore guess what? Puerto Rico has more Walmarts per square mile than any place in the world!! Coincidence? Nope. Walmart PR is making a killing while its profits leave the Island’s economy and they are “washed” (tax free) back into the “DOMESTIC” US economy and in through Walmart US.
So… amongst other things… thats one BIG root, that, just like many other US Corporations PREY on Puerto Rico with full Federal Government Support.
So why is Puerto Rico not a state? I think that the Federal Government also needs to answer on that.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR PUERTO RICO NOW
Puerto Rico has to become a state if it wants to fix the debt problem. If it becomes a state the federal government will start flowing in money. My name is Austin Singer I’m a young Republican and I support Puerto Rican statehood
Voters overwhelmingly chose statehood in 2012 and 2017.
It’s not that simple. In 2017, only 23% voted at all – in a Country that regularly votes at 80%. Thus the PR Government considered it to be bad enough to just skip the move to Statehood. The time before that, “none of the above” actually beat out Statehood.
Maybe the reason is because Puerto Rico has a Prexisting condition, It lives in hurricane territory. The US doesn’t want any more liabilities
David. I live in FL. We are also hurricane territory. We’ve had more hurricanes hit us than PR has.
Good point Olga.
Good Point Olga.
I have to give a speech on this topic very interesting and I’m pro for Puerto Rico’s Statehood!
Omar, you are my personal hero. You saved my life. Thank you Omar.
I think the alternative should be a legislation by the Congress in order to be Puerto Rico being an Incorporated Territory. This option will open eyes to the people of Puerto Rico, in stress manner but also, with some transition with the contribution equally and also open possibilities to require the same right as all national citizens! What that means? On simple words, it is the first step in order to be equal of national citizen but Puerto Rican living in the continent!
Well said Don Roberts!! I completely agree!!
So true
Puerto Rico is not a state; because Puerto Ricans are ambivalent people. On one hand; they love their U.S. citizenship and on the other hand they want to please their communists neighbors.