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. For example, Puerto Rico would be eligible for D-SNAP, the special food stamp program for disaster victims. No one can explain why Puerto Rico isn’t eligible for the program now, but this situation would end if Puerto Rico were a state. The same holds true for the inequities in Medicaid, family tax credits, and many more federal programs.
- Like every territory which has become a state, Puerto Rico would be in a stronger economic position. Jobs for local people will come naturally as Puerto Rico rebuilds. Being part of the larger U.S. economy will increase tourism, entrepreneurship, and investment in business in Puerto Rico. Instead of having to rely on self-destructive tax loopholes, Puerto Rico will have the same opportunities for growth the other states have.
- Puerto Rico will have full representation in the U.S. legislature, with the ability to vote on laws that affect Puerto Rico.
- Residents of Puerto Rico will be able to vote in presidential elections, as well as in elections for senators and congresspeople. Full participation in the democratic process will be available to all residents of Puerto Rico.
- With increased power and prosperity, Puerto Rico will bring greater benefits to the United States as a whole, as every territory has done when it has become a state.
What are the disadvantages of statehood for Puerto Rico? We’ve researched this question, examining the disadvantages others have listed.
- “Puerto Rico could lose its place in the Olympics or the Miss Universe Pageant.” A complaint from the United States could remove Puerto Rico from the Olympics at any time, and the same is true for the international pageants. For example, Guadeloup and French Guyana used to participate separately in beauty pageants as Puerto Rico does, but since 1984 they have been included in the Miss France competition. This happened with no change in status for Guadeloup or French Guyana. Miss France 2017 was the contestant from French Guyana, as it happens, and Puerto Ricans have won medals for the U.S. in the Olympics. The point is that this participation is not an automatic consequence of being a territory, and loss of this participation would not be an automatic consequence of statehood. This issue is independent of political status.
- “Puerto Rico could become an English-speaking state.” While it is not true that states must be English-only or even English mostly, it is true that states like Louisiana and New Mexico, which didn’t have English as their majority language before statehood, are now English speaking states. Puerto Rico would not be the only state with more than one official language, and it would not be the state with the largest number of Spanish speakers. With 47% Spanish speakers, New Mexico has the largest percentage of Spanish speakers, followed by California and Texas with 38% each. Eight states have more than 1,000,000 Spanish speakers, and the U.S. has more Spanish speakers than Spain. Spanish is clearly the second language of the United States. Nonetheless, it is likely that more people would speak English in the state of Puerto Rico.
- “Residents of Puerto Rico would pay federal income tax.” Actually, with a higher poverty level and higher unemployment than any of the 50 states even before Hurricane Maria, most of Puerto Rico’s residents would not pay income tax. Like nearly half of their fellow citizens in the states, most of the residents of Puerto Rico don’t earn enough to pay income taxes. Instead, they would be eligible for family tax credits. As Puerto Rico rebuilds and becomes more prosperous, the Island will see a better quality of life and the United States will see more tax revenue from the Island.
- “U.S. statistics will falter.” Some national statistics are calculated without including Puerto Rico. If those numbers are recalculated with Puerto Rico’s information included, the United States could suddenly have a higher poverty rate, a higher crime rate, and a larger number of hours of sunshine. People who worry about this downside to statehood don’t usually mention the sunshine. They shouldn’t worry about the crime rate, either. Unless data is being sorted out by state, all statistics about the United States should include the states and the territories. If more accurate crime rate figures embarrass the U.S., they might also motivate the federal government to take action to reduce crime and poverty in Puerto Rico.
- “The United States would become responsible for Puerto Rico’s financial troubles.” We see this given as a reason for the United States to refuse statehood to Puerto Rico. This shows ignorance. There has never been a requirement for territories to be solvent before they become states. One good reason for this is that the United States is responsible for the territories she owns. She is in fact more responsible for the territories than for the states. Congress has complete power over territories, according to the U.S. Constitution. States have rights and powers of their own. Unless Congress is prepared to force independence on Puerto Rico — and we don’t think they are — the buck stops in Washington.
Are there any real disadvantages to statehood? On closer examination, we don’t see any. Join us. Now more than ever, we can’t go backwards. We can only go forward, and statehood is our future.
40 Responses
Your reasons for cons aren’t even a problems. You can’t make a pros and cons list for something you’re completely biased on, it just doesn’t work like that.
On the 👃🏼
To Margie F & all people who are unaware of the background stories of the territories of the USA: be kind to others, and therefore, treat people as you would want to be treated. No one told the United States of America in 1898 to invade the Spanish Colony of Puerto Rico, mistreat its people, land, etc. History lesson: President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act (1917) on March 2, 1917, giving Puerto Ricans U.S. statutory citizenship (this can be taken away by Congress, unlike the citizenship that is granted by a current US State upon a person’s birth; Puert Ricans are natural born US Citizens). This act also separated Puerto Rico’s government into Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, and endowed Puerto Ricans with a bill of rights.
The Congress can make Puerto Rico a State of the Union, keep it as a colony, or make it an independent country tomorrow if it chooses to; the Congress has full say over what happens to the territories of the United States of America.
Puerto Ricans have fought in every war that the USA has been in as conscripts and then as volunteers since WW1.
Puerto Ricans have rightfully earned their place in the Union as a State. Now, only if Congress and the President act, and if the majority of the US Citizens of Puerto Rico vote to become a State can their colonial status end. Whichever truly non-colonial status (Statehood, Independence) Puerto Rico decides, Congress must accept.
The United States of America must stop preaching other countries about elections and freedoms when it does not give its current territories the options of US Statehood or Independence.
Drugs in Puerto Rico are a problem though.
this website is very biased
Hi, Ben, We are biased. We are not a balanced news site. We are an advocacy site, talking to statehood supporters and people who want to know more about statehood for Puerto Rico. We are specifically asking people to take action to help Puerto Rico become a state. I see that you are writing from a school. It’s important to note that bias doesn’t always mean that published materials are false or unreliable. You should always consider whether a website is biased, because some sites may be biased but dishonest about that. Consider the purpose of the website, whether it provides sources for its information (we do), ands whether it fairly depicts the arguments on the other side (we do). Good luck with your project!
The only people pushing for statehood are those looking to increase the welfare state and the bondholders looking for debt reimbursement. Fact is those investors knew it was bad debt in the first place and deserve to lose their investment.
We already have the largest public housing project in the US. They want to turn the entire island into public housing. The world doesn’t need another Venezuela and neither does the US. Given the choice between paying federal income tax and casting a vote for a president, which doesn’t matter anyways due to the electoral college, a Puerto Rican will always vote to keep more of what they earn. The only exception to this rule are welfare recipients, something we have too much of on the island.
Let’s do the math. Our sales tax is 11.5% + 33% fed income tax + 33% PR state income tax = 77.5%
Try being transparent with the people and include the potential tax rate after becoming a state and see how much of the vote you get. You claim most on the island won’t pay income tax because they don’t qualify.
Translation: everyone who earns enough income to qualify will pay out almost 80% of their wages to the government in the meantime those who can’t afford kids have more, don’t work and live for free.
Who in their right mind would stay on the island? That is the equivalent of working 10 months out of the year for the government. What services do we get in return for this slavery? I guarantee it won’t be any better than it is right now. Social Security is a ponzi scheme and won’t last the next generation. Obamacare will make health care system even worse and more expensive than it already is. University costs will skyrocket to mainland prices when right now they are the most affordable in the county.
I’ll tell you what will happen if we get statehood. All wealth creators will relocate to mainland and PR will becomes the Venezuela of the US.
Instead imagine if your groups efforts were directed towards real growth. An independent Puerto Rico could become the Singapore of the Americas:
1 – declare real bankruptcy and wipe its debt clean
2 – forge new trade deals with other nations
3 – open up the country to billions in potential foreign investment
4 – create a golden visa program to bring in more revenue and talent
5 – opt out of a bankrupt social security system
6 – turn PR into a hub for crypto industry instead of being beholden to fed government and its archaic regulations
These are just a few things that can be done to turn the island into an economic power house instead of the next Detroit. The people who want to live on the system will leave for the mainland where they can apply for welfare programs. Those that want to build a better PR will stay and work. Those who aren’t here will relocate to help. This is called economic migration. Nobody is migrating to Venezuela.
Singapore broke away from Malaysia which broke away from UK. Only possible through independence. We have some of the best talent in the US already living on the island. Peter Schiff and Brock Pierce to name a few. Imagine if those minds and others were used to help an independent island grow into a world power. Statehood comes, they’ll be the first to leave.
Mr. Hugh Wang,
I have read all your above comments and appreciate your point of view. We can agree to disagree respectfully.
1- P RIcans – have consistently voted against an independent PR, they simply do not want it. The local well known “pro- independence leaders” – have homes in the States and will likely be the first to continue to make noise, while enjoying their lives in the mainland. Your main reason for promoting an independent PR and be against Statehood appears to be mostly financial, there is so much more to the story of PR and its relationship with the USA.
2- Based on the poor administrative PR Gov track record – under varied and multiple administrations – the financial administrative utopia you are describing- will simply not occurred. IF anything, a completely independent PR will be wide open to more private and public corruption without federal oversight.
3- The “best talent in the US”- already living in the area -Are there exclusively because of the domestic- foreign tax benefits – Laws 20/22- through which the contribution to local growth has been minuscule, if any. Did they relocate to PR before those laws were pass ? – I think not.
4- Your comments on federal taxes are not accurate – It is likely that state and local taxes will be reviewed and the federal taxes will be based on individual income. Corporate taxes will be competitive BUT they will not continue to be A foreign tax heaven that gives very little back to PR. Also, with Statehood – it is likely than the PR local residents will get more out of their tax dollars than they no now- better federal oversight for infrastructure, education, housing – all of which will improve their quality of life.
5- An independent PR – has no way to defend itself militarily and control illegal immigration or narco traffic – just ask the USA COAST GUARD. This will translate in a very poor – even worse than it is now- local quality of life.
6- American Citizenship- Local residents overwhelming agree- they are and want to remain USA citizens. Granted, Some want Statehood , others want to continue the Status Quo – but more than 95 % of the PR local residents – will simply not give up their citizenship. An independent PR will bring folks from everywhere, but I can almost guaranty you – it will be the fastest way to get rid of local P Ricans in exchange for everyone else. An independent PR cannot have a USA citizenship – that is clear and definitive.
7- Statehood – Most logical after 120+ years of USA partnership, long courtship – but it is the next step in the relationship. Why – and the is probably the most important reason of all: The USA was founded on a philosophy – the Why ?- is the Declaration of Independence- The How? – is the Constitution. The USA residents of PR deserve equal rights under the Constitution, unequivocally and permanently.
I lived full time in Puerto Rico for 15 years. I saw the best and the worst. The question of statehood is one that has pre-dated the current economic crisis. I can recall Plebisites in the 1960’s.
The largest thorn in the side of Statehood will be the Independence Movement which is still alive and well on the island. I remember the bombings in San Juan in the 1960’s. The ambush of American servicemen’s bus and the deaths that occurred. The shooting in Congress in the 1950’s.
I would like to see PR become a state but with a supermajority of approval instead of a simple majority. The 5% or so of residents who still support Independence can become a very loud voice should they wish to make themselves heard.
To think that the Independence movement will simply roll over and go away is kind of Pollyannish.
Nice
When was this site made?
In 2014.
Look all I’m trying to say is its biased
I do not think they are
[…] of all Americans, mainland or not. On another note, the only major disadvantage “according to pr51st.com a website that supports the Puerto Rico statehood movement, the only major disadvantages are the US […]
I want Puerto Rico to be a state, but I also don’t want its economy and crime in the U.S.
Federal income tax rates that would apply to Puerto Rico’s working class and would not be 0%:
Tax rate Taxable income bracket Tax owed
10% $0 to $19,750 10% of taxable income
12% $19,751 to $80,250 $1,975 plus 12% of the amount over $19,750
22% $80,251 to $171,050 $9,235 plus 22% of the amount over $80,250
24% $171,051 to $326,600 $29,211 plus 24% of the amount over $171,050
With the tax credits that residents of Puerto Rico will be eligible for as a state, most will not pay anything in income taxes, and many will receive more in their returns than they paid in.
I think this is so helpful in class I did a debate about puerto rico if it should be a state or not and my team won because of you here it is:
While other acquired territories were annexed and eventually became states, Puerto Rico was maintained as an “unincorporated territory.” Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states after the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico.Statehood. Proponents of statehood, including the island’s other major party, the New Progressive Party, say it would finally make Puerto Ricans full citizens. Additionally, the island could receive up to $12.5 billion more in federal benefits, including Medicare and Medicaid, according to recent estimates.In conclusion I think puerto rico should be a state puerto rico could get $12.5 billion but we can’t if you do not make us a state!!!
Three Reasons Puerto Rico Should Become the 51st State
Puerto Ricans would live better, on their own turf, a win-win for all
The current situation is holding Puerto Ricans back. As of 2021, Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate rested at 8.8%. Before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, it was estimated that roughly 46% of Puerto Ricans were living below the poverty line; in addition, the number of Puerto Ricans who immigrated to mainland U.S. increased by a third in 2018. Those leaving over the past decade are in search of better employment opportunities.
In becoming a U.S. state, Puerto Ricans could enjoy both the benefits associated with statehood and the tools needed to develop their own industry and workforce on the island. Statehood would increase local job opportunities, bring about income creation benefits and enable locals to receive better health care, which they are already paying for, but do not currently benefit from. What’s more, with Puerto Ricans enjoying statehood benefits from the comfort of their own homes, they would be able to pursue – and live – the American Dream in their own country.
Puerto Ricans deserve a say in the laws that affect them
If, according to American history, “all men are equal in the eyes of the law,” then why don’t Puerto Ricans have equal say in the laws they must uphold? The U.S. currently controls Puerto Rico’s external affairs and federal regulations, yet Puerto Ricans are ineligible to vote in the U.S. presidential elections and have only one non-voting representative in the House. With almost three million citizens living in Puerto Rico, U.S. statehood would enable Puerto Ricans to be represented by two Senators. They would also be allowed to vote in U.S. federal elections and on issues, bills and reforms that affect them.
The U.S. would be able to fight tax evasion more effectively
The United States does not impose any federal income tax on U.S. citizens who are residents of the island and profit from Puerto Rican sources. Adding Puerto Rico to the U.S. state register would require these citizens residing and working in Puerto Rico to pay federal income taxes, significantly boosting the Federal Reserve’s annual revenues. This would also mean that American companies would no longer be able to move their businesses offshore to Puerto Rico to evade taxes, a current and significant problem in the U.S. Making Puerto Rico a state would limit accessible corporate corruption channels significantly. It might also make it easier to oversee and/or control how U.S. government funds are actually being utilized there and could prevent local government corruption.
Thank you for sharing this, Maklayla, and congratulations!
U.S. statistics will falter. Some national statistics are calculated without including Puerto Rico. If those numbers are recalculated with Puerto Rico’s information included, the United States could suddenly have a higher poverty rate, a higher crime rate, and a larger number of hours of sunshine. People who worry about this downside to statehood don’t usually mention the sunshine. They shouldn’t worry about the crime rate, either. Unless data is being sorted out by state, all statistics about the United States should include the states and the territories. If more accurate crime rate figures embarrass the U.S., they might also motivate the federal government to take action to reduce crime and poverty in Puerto Rico.
They need two options, not 3, time for the 30 year old living in the parents basement needs to end. Statehood or independence. Be on your own or an equal part of the family business with all benefits AND responsibilities
i do not think that these pros and cons fit because it is never going to happen
YASSSSSS
-Puerto Rican STATUTORY US CITIZENSHIP (born in PR) is NOT PERMANENT even if moving to a State!!! Only STATEHOOD guarantees a permanet US Citizenship with full rights and benefits!
(AI Co-Pilot)-Yes, the source-basis of statutory U.S. citizenship for individuals born in Puerto Rico is indeed the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution1. The U.S. Constitution contains two sources of citizenship: the Naturalization Clause and the Citizenship Clause1. However, for Puerto Rico, Congress invoked the Territories Clause to grant citizenship1.
The Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 conferred U.S. citizenship on people born in Puerto Rico and living there, as well as on any other citizen of Puerto Rico2. This was statutory citizenship, not citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution2.
The U.S. Code 1402, part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, confirmed U.S. citizenship for people born in Puerto Rico2. It declared that everyone born in Puerto Rico after January 13th, 1941, is a citizen of the United States at birth2.
However, it’s important to note that this is only true as long as Puerto Rico is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States2. If Puerto Rico were to become independent, people born in Puerto Rico would not continue to be birthright citizens of the United States2.
In summary, the statutory U.S. citizenship of individuals born in Puerto Rico is indeed based on the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and it has been conferred and confirmed through various acts and laws over the years.
While Puerto Rico is not a state, it is a territory of the United States, and individuals born in Puerto Rico are granted U.S. citizenship1. However, this citizenship is statutory, meaning it is granted by law (specifically the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 and the Nationality Act of 1940), not by the Constitution1.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a person born a citizen of this country cannot lose their nationality unless they voluntarily and intentionally relinquish it1. However, because the citizenship of Puerto Ricans is statutory and not protected by the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it could theoretically be revoked by the U.S. Congress2.
In 2005, the U.S. House Committee on Resources concluded that Puerto Rico is still an unincorporated territory of the United States under the Territorial Clause, that the establishment of local self-government with the consent of the people can be unilaterally revoked by U.S. Congress, and Congress can withdraw, at any time, the American citizenship now enjoyed by the residents of Puerto Rico as long as it achieves a legitimate Federal purpose, in a manner reasonably related to that purpose3.
If Puerto Rico were to become independent, people born in Puerto Rico would not continue to be birth citizens of the United States1. For people born between 1899 and 1941, they must have been “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, residing on January 13, 1941, in Puerto Rico or other territory over which the United States exercises rights of sovereignty”1.
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–US Citizenship (Types/Basis/Sources) Summary; Other Key Points–
1. Individual Birthright Citizenship (PERMANENT/directly conferred by US Constitution/ Non-statutory)-“jus soli” (right of soil)-per the 14th Amendment (States: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the US and of the State wherein they reside.” (US Territories are NOT included.)
2. Individual Naturalization Citizenship (PERMANENT)—process through which immigrants from other countries can also become citizens if they wish to … (per 14th Amendment) (unquestioned permanent US Citizenship)
3. Acquired Citizenship (“jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent) – those born in other Countries that acquired US citizenship from their US Citizen Parents-… (per US Congress-8 USC Code)
4. PR Collective Statutory US Citizenship (NOT PERMANENT)-per revocable Law based on the US Territorial Clause; Insular Cases (1901-1925+); Jones Act (1917)/Nationality Act (1940); 8 USC Code §1402–Ends upon Independence. The US Supreme Court (Insular Cases) has established that the US Constitution doesn’t fully apply to Puerto Rico, except for some broad rights that have not been defined (+Harris v Rosario-1980/Other Cases). Congress has plenary powers, etc.
• Territorial Clause (1787) states: “US Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all rules and regulations respecting the Territory or other Property that belongs to the US.” (Un-democratic; outdated).
• Insular Cases (1901-1925+ based on racism)-states–Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated US Territory; more foreign than domestic, belongs to, but, is not part of the US (soil)…”– resulting in a permanent “Separate and Un-Equal Status”/ 2d Class US Citizenship which goes against American values; a Representative Democracy! (Needs to be revoked.)
–This nonsensical/unjust Legal gibberish (US Supreme Court sustained) are double standards NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; isn’t in US Constitution; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”…; condemned as unconstitutional by Justice Marshall, Gorsuch, Sotomayor, and many Others (US Justice Dept…) who support revoking them.
I think That Puerto Rico’s economy is failing miserably. If Puerto Rico become a state the United States Government would have to support that economy. This could be a burden the U.S doesn’t want.
Puerto Rico is just going to get cleaned up by Trump.