The history of Puerto Rico is complex. As the island enters its 113th year as a territory colony of the United States, the interdependencies between the U.S. and Puerto Rico weren’t, and never will be, a simple matter. It is a history of paradoxes and complications regarding political identity and basic human rights of self-government.
Puerto Rico's first administrative cabinet under the Jones Act of 1917
Take, for example, the 1917 Jones Act, an act of Congress that granted U.S. citizenship to all Puerto Ricans born on the island. (Important sidenote: Unknown to many, this is not a Constitutional act, but it would take a Supreme Court act to revoke the right.) The Jones Act, signed by President Woodrow Wilson on March 2, 1917, not only established U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans on the island, it also created a new form of government. As the following states (source: Library of Congress):
The Jones Act separated the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of Puerto Rican government, provided civil rights to the individual, and created a locally elected bicameral legislature. The two houses were a Senate consisting of 19 members and a 39-member House of Representatives. However, the Governor and the President of the United States had the power to veto any law passed by the legislature. Also, the United States Congress had the power to stop any action taken by the legislature in Puerto Rico. The U.S. maintained control over fiscal and economic matters and exercised authority over mail services, immigration, defense and other basic governmental matters.
There are so many contradictions in the act that many people are unaware about and we would like to make some clarifications:
- Even though Puerto Ricans have the right to govern themselves, in the end the Governor of Puerto Rico and the U.S. government still have to power to veto and control any legislation on the island. That is a huge concession of power and rights.
- History has stated that Puerto Ricans did not request for citizenship at the time. In fact, the member of Congress representing the island in 1917, Luis Muñoz Rivera, questioned such imposition in late 1916, basically telling Congress that Puerto Ricans would prefer Puerto Rican citizenship.
- The U.S. still has control over several basic government services that in any other form of government, would be under the jurisdiction of a local government. In the end, Puerto Ricans gained U.S. citizenship, but never gained much more, except for the right to freely travel with a U.S. passport and also freely live in any other part of the United States.
- History also suggests that the United States needed more men for WWI. After Wilson signed the Jones Act and after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, military conscription was passed in June, 1917. This meant that as U.S. citizens, eligible Puerto Rican males were drafted into the armed forces. Over 2,000 Puerto Ricans were drafted to serve at the very beginning. In the end, it was estimated that 18,000 Puerto Ricans served in World War I. Most of them went to the Panama Canal, but some Puerto Ricans, like musician Rafael Hernández, proudly served on the Western Front. Puerto Ricans who were not eligible were sent to labor camps in the South.
The issue of U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans has always been a study in paradoxes. For example, a Puerto Rican-born individual who lives in the United States could vote in U.S. elections, like the ones for President, but that same person could not vote in those elections if living in Puerto Rico. The same goes for federal taxes. If you are Puerto Rican-born and live in the U.S., you have to file a federal tax return. On the island, though, a Puerto Rican does not have to file a return.
In general, it is safe to say that most Puerto Ricans value the benefits that a U.S. citizenship has bestowed on them. However, Puerto Ricans still fall into a second tier of U.S. citizens, when compared to their fellow American citizens. Issues of civil and human rights (noted by the U.S. crackdown on Puerto Rican Nationalists who never truly had the right to free assembly after tensions arose in the 1940s and 1950s) are still valid concerns.
As the island begins to yet again explore the political direction it wants to take, the question of whether Puerto Ricans would trade in their U.S. citizenship for Puerto Rican citizenship will always be open for debate and dissection. Four generations have passed since the Jones Act became law, and for a certain group of U.S. citizens, full constitutional rights have yet to be achieved.
A very informative article, Julio. Thanks for sharing this.
I should also add that despite their U.S. citizenship, Puerto Ricans are often lumped with other Latinos as “immigrants” to the United States. The most notable example of this widespread fallacy occurred when Judge Sonya Sotomayor was first nominated to the Supreme Court and her “immigrant background” was part of the bio reported by many news sources.
Exactly, Raul! There is such a misconception that has always bugged me, but also like I said, Puerto Rico is a paradox: we celebrate the best of Latin America and the U.S. on one hand, yet are quick to condemn the injustices of the U.S. on the other hand, and rightly so. But in the end, PRicans really second-class U.S. citizens from a legal and constitutional perspective. The US Congress tomorrow could revoke citizenship for Puerto Rican-born people. Nothing protects us from that. But at the same time, I have lived 31 years of my life freely in the U.S. without any issue, but I am born in Puerto Rico and if I could ever get a Puerto Rican passport, I would jump for joy, yet I also feel as American as Chevy. It is so complex and a theme that the media misses.
Most of the U.S. media is, pardon the pun, color-blind to the complexity and diversity of the Latino community.
So true. We cannot be boxed.
I beleive it is pertinent to say that citizenship was bestowed on puertorricans without their consent or request. The member of Congress representing the island at the time , Luis Muñoz Rivera, questioned such imposition. It seems that the need for additional servicemen for the war effort played a role in the decision to grant puertorricans US citizenship.
It is ironic, the war could have been an excuse to extend citizenship to a people who did not ask for it and presently you states considering the possibility of repealing birthright citinship. How times change.
It should be clarify that once citizenship is obtained Congress nor state legislatures may take it away according to a U.S. Supreme Court decision. That is the law.
And for that we have Yeyo! Gracias mil.
Jose, what a great point you bring up about current attempts to gut the 14th Amendment. When the U.S. needed conscripts for war, the politicians extended citizenship — with obvious strings attached.
Jose is a former PR senator and has spent a lot of his life in Washington fighting for the island’s status. We love Yeyo! He and my dad went to college together.
Julito,
I agree completely with you and Raul Ramos. We are second tier if not third tier citizens. Going well with Raul’s Citizen H Novels.
I think Julito’s standpoint does tie in with Raul’s Novel. I think many Puerto Ricans have understood clearly what a second class citizen is or in Raul Ramos’ words H Citizen.
One of the biggest issues I have had as a Puerto Rican trying to relate a lot more to my brothers in Latin America than any other country is how in some occasions my Puerto Rican brothers think they are worth even more because we have been given the citizenship from Birth.
Last week I really enjoyed the article talking about how hispanics work for the border patrol when they themselves where immigrants or descendants of Immigrants.
I clearly can say that if we had an opportunity to have Puerto Rican Citizenship I would sign up. Puerto Ricans like myself that reside on the Island have no benefits such as electing the people that make decisions for us. But on the other hand we are open to serve in military and offer our lived for a country who restricts us for so many things.
Thanks again for bringing this type of subject … I am really enjoying them.
Gracias mil, hermano. It is a study in paradoxes. As someone who loves his island, was born there, has studied its history and literature, but has lived in the U.S since he was 8 (with summers in Puerto Rico and one year on the island in 1991), I am torn. Maybe it will be a case of dual citizenship like Ireland? Who knows? Gracias mil.
Raul, it’s clear that U.,S. immigration policy and citizenship are often tools used for political purposes. My fellow Cubans arriving on the shores of the U.S. in a raft without a visa are given an expedited green card process because the U.S. deems them political refugees. But if any other nationality did the same, they would be summarily deported. I wonder if Puerto Rico were to choose independence, what U.S. immigration policy would be toward its former protectorate.
That is an interesting scenario, but I think it is clear that most Puerto Ricans see benefits from US citizenship.
Julito
This is a great post. Recently, I tried explaining what Puerto Ricans can do and cannot do as voters, citizens, taxpayers. Next time, I will send simply send this link.
Gracias, Gio!
Throughout all my adult life, both socially and professionally, I have been amazed at the lack of knowledge, portrayed by almost all the citizens of the USA, to know that Puerto Ricans are USA citizens by birth, let alone how they became USA citizens period. This reality even includes Puerto Ricans themselves both living abroad, in the USA & even in Puerto Rico proper!
Thanks for bringing enlightenment to this point of abhorrent ignorance or worst of all apathy, projected by those that find it rightfully fit to expound on or justify knowing about what should be done about P.R. and its future relationship with the the USA and most importantly with the world itself.
Please keep bringing forth the wisdom of experienced human beings with hands-on knowledge and sincere altruism , like Jose (Yeyo) Ortiz-Daliot, and others that I’m sure you will be connecting with, and that will also give us, what they have given their lives to propel their way of resolving Puerto Rico’s 100 years+ paradox of existence.
Always in peace, papijulio
Papi, I love the term “paradox existence” love you!
I can relate to PapiJulio’s statement 110% . It amazes me at the lack of knowledge on many things Puerto Rico by so many. Interestingly, it was my experiences in the military that made me clearly aware of this.
Unlike yourself Julio, I was born in New York but traveled quite extensively between NY and the island. Sometimes, I felt like I lived in both (a statement I made to Raul C.). Having studied so much Puerto Rican history, I too feel torn between what I know and the experiences I have lived through.
I think it is safe to say that it is this very ‘paradox’ which keeps Puerto Rico in limbo. The fear of the unknown status‘, whether independent or statehood, and being in the comfort zone, its present political status.
Efrain, you are a unique individual. We share a common passion in the history of the island. Yes, the push and pull between the mainland and the island is so prevalent in the souls of millions of Puerto Ricans. The image of an “island victim” (a major theme in Puerto Rican authors like José González, Zeno Gandía, Rosario Ferré) needs to change. We can no longer be a victim. We need to control our future.
Efrain, the choice is not among statehood or independence, both dignified political options. There is one more choice and it is not Commonweallth which is not in itself a dignified relationship. I am talking about “Free Association” which is the 3rd political option endorsed by the international community under the auspices of United Nations resolution 1541 from 1960. So there are 3 political status options under which puertorricans could live a dignified life. The U.S. has negotiated Free Association agreements with former territories in the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand presents another example of Free Association relationships with its former colonies such as the Cook Islands and in this case the residents if Cook Islands kept the the citizenship of the metropolitan power, New Zealand. So there is precedent for Puerto Rico to opt for a Free Assoc. agreement with the U.S. and keep their U.S. citizenship, as well of course the puertorrican citizenship. Es posible y hacia ya vamos. Sin miedo.Free Association provides political sovereingty and a dignified relationship with the U.S.
¡Gracias, Yeyo!
Regardless of earned degree at law,in my country,this post would be of interest to me,because i like interesting issues and have curious nature.And this article just fit my inspired spirit to go for mystic and unsolved questions.
To dare to say Puerto Ricans are not free citizens!If US holds control over the services belong to the government of Puerto Rico,it makes them the citizens in vassal relationship.
Of course it is the matter of Puerto Rico to decide what their future would look like,but in my view it should be rewarded and treated at least equally as the states of US.
Puerto Rico is a small but incredibly nice and at /perhaps/good location,and much of merits from the past.The participation in World War I*/for solitude my country suffered one of the greatest amount of sacrifices as well,is a news for me,great to learn more,and one proof more that common experiences and destinies connect nations around the world.
It is up to you to assess your benefits of having US citizenship and request equal treatment as other its citizens.Maybe,new era with president Obama is a way to follow your dreams.
This is a very great response.
one correction;for solace/not solitude/..
Who ever says that Puerto Ricans are immigrants have lied and confuse sociological concepts of nations. Puerto Ricans who move to other states in the nation are migrants, immigrants are citizens of other nations who move to a foreign country. The puerto ricans, since 1900 are considered for purposes of nationality as ‘nationals’ with unrestricted freedom of movement on the mainland. The ‘Puerto Rican diaspora’ in the United States is different from those who migrate to Europe or South America who decide to live in a foreign country. Sonia Sotomayor to be an American citizen born descendants of puerto rican migrants, his family has never been foreign and had to swear allegiance to the American constitution, saying that she and her family are immigrants is a fallacy.
But you have to agree that US citizenship was imposed on us, no?
I enjoyed reading your post. Born in Arecibo (Bo Santana), grew up in Bayamon (Santa Juanita), educated at UPR (Rio Piedras campus and University Hospital) I found myself part of the complexity and paradox of been a citizen of the United States. I proudly served in the US Navy’s nuclear program onboard USS Daniel Webster, SSBN-626 Blue, NSGA Sabana Seca, PR and USS Pargo, SSN-650. Yet in some instances during my military service felt as an immigrant, rather than a migrant believe it or not particularly while stationed at Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico! The first question I will be asked by my fellow military men and women was where the cannibals are! The second was a statement as to the fact (in their view) that there was a “machetero” terrorist behind every palm tree! Neither statement was true. However, I will try to explain the reasons why some people will not like them (los continentales). I was a prime example since even some of the officers will make comments as to they were waiting for a Puerto Rican to jump the fence into the base so that they could execute them with extreme prejudice! Thanks God for Mr. Wrightson, the Executive Officer who was a continental (born, raised and educated in Alabama) who was the most Puerto Rican officer I have met! He was married to a lady from Juana Diaz and he considered himself a Bona-Fide Puertorriqueño. He taught me history from Puerto Rico I did not know and he made sure the other officers understood; Puerto Ricans were already inside the base! And that we were serving as equals! The US needs to educate their people so that the people understand that Puerto Ricans are citizens. I like for Puerto Rico to resolve its political status. The “free association” as Jose Ortiz has stated in his comment will be one I will like for us to experience
What a great story! ¡VIVA PUERTO RICO!
“Who ever says that Puerto Ricans are immigrants have lied and confuse sociological concepts of nations. Puerto Ricans who move to other states in the nation are migrants, immigrants are citizens of other nations who move to a foreign country.” Wilo
Then why are Mexican workers who come to the US to harvest the fields referred to as migrant workers?
The UN definition of a migrant is someone who moves around within ones own country in hopes of finding work. It also labels foreigners who leave their own country to find work in another country as migrants. I guess I answered my own question. Immigrants are people who enter another country permanently. And emigrants are people who leave their country permanently.
1-Then it should not be called “relocating”, not migrating or emigrating.
2-Yep. In 2007 I had to remind a NJ tv reporter calling a young newly elected state legislator, “1st generation American”, that she was prob. 5th generation American; my greats-etcs. were and I’m 67.
3-They are not teaching it in the US, I think, that PRicans are US citzns; in PR it’s not mentioned either.My dghter was in UPR when she finally realized it.
4-Bottom line:What good has the US citizensp done if PRicans have not taken advantage of it like other ethnic groups (Latin-Ams, Mid-Easterns, Jewish, Orientals, etc.) who come to work long hrs. or open businesses until they build capital? Most PRicans here still live in slums.Who own most of the dscounts/shops in RP?
5-I know people on foodstamps in PR didn’t want to pick coffee. Shame! And I was trying to find out how to have a chance & I’m retired. I think they offer free rooming, right?
There are 3 million Puerto Ricans living in the United States. Gonna go out on a ledge and say we have taken advantage of opportunities.
You sting like a bee Madge.
Yes nice way to put that.
Great site to get in touch with my roots and my people!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Necesitamos Independencia! If you want to go into the History of it, you have to realize that the Americans never had any right to step foot on our country. If they were going to get into a war with Spain, they could have at least finished their war and gotten out. We already had achieved great political autonomy and we had been given economic freedom the year before the war began. The document was known as La Carta Autonómica (1897). And it had taken us 400 years too! We probably only had a couple years to go before Spain completely let us go. Either way, our economy would have been run by us and not by whatever the US buys from other countries and then gives to us (heavily taxed).
I feel angry when I get to thinking that the US really stuck their nose where it shouldn’t have been for so many years. It really hurts me. We reset a 400 year effort that took a lot of blood and sweat from our ancestors. A lot of blood and sweat. And probably a lot of tears too. We’ve been used and hindered by the US. I mean, look at what is said in the article here. We were given citizenship after 17 years so that it wouldn’t seem as wrong when we were drafted into a war that wasn’t ours (WWI). Without our consent too. Who said we every wanted to be American citizens?
I can’t get hung up on those feelings though. I mean, it’s in the past. But even today! I am going through college in Texas but I live back home, in Puerto Rico. The Americans call me Mexican and associate me with all the negative thoughts that they unfortunately have about them. They don’t know a lick about our island and don’t care either (at least that’s the impression I’ve gotten). They think we are leeching off the US because we want to. Wasn’t it the US that made us a colony?? I don’t think we had a choice in that, huh? If the Americans are going to keep us as a colony, they should at least demonstrate a tiny bit of respect. We are dedicated ONE paragraph in history books and we have to go through a whole course in American history when we are in high school.
Aren’t we Boricuas? We have our own history. We have our own language. We have our own culture, our own food, our own traditions, our own PEOPLE. We are a nation. Aren’t these some of the arguments placed in the American Declaration of Independence???
Sorry for the rant here. I needed to get these things off my chest.
I seriously believe we should become independent.
Would you guys be willing to talk to me? I need to know more.
Lucas
No worries! We are here!
I read the La Carta Autonomic of 1897. What Spain offered Puerto Rico was exactly the same thing the U.S. provided in 1898 after the invasion. Spain reserved the right to appoint a governor from Spain in order to maintain it’s control. And yes, the U.S. also appointed a governor from the U.S. to oversea the affairs of PR. Approximately 50 years later the U.S. authorized Puerto Ricans the right to elect someone from Puerto Rico to be the governor. What took 400 years to achieve from Spain, everything and more was given to Puerto Rico in only 50 years by the U.S. Just think where PR could be in another 350 years. Just a little food for thought.
I taken a racial beating as a Afro-Latina Puerto Rican from both whites and Afro-Americans for calling myself an American.The white Liberal media does not consider Puerto Ricans ciizens what’s why we are never asked about the nation’ concerns on local or national media,. Many times I get a beating on Twitter &Face Book when I openly talk about hate in America towards Latino Negros like me.No one wants to hear it because they are too busy hating..
A poll was recently taken to see how well Americans knew their geography. Here are the results.
One-third of respondents couldn’t pinpoint Louisiana on a map and 48 percent were unable to locate Mississippi.
Fewer than three in 10 think it important to know the locations of countries in the news and just 14 percent believe speaking another language is a necessary skill.
Six in 10 could not find Iraq on a map of the Middle East.
While the outsourcing of jobs to India has been a major U.S. business story, 47 percent could not find the Indian subcontinent on a map of Asia.
While Israeli-Palestinian strife has been in the news for the entire lives of the respondents, 75 percent were unable to locate Israel on a map of the Middle East.
Six in 10 did not know the border between North and South Korea is the most heavily fortified in the world. Thirty percent thought the most heavily fortified border was between the United States and Mexico.
And people wonder why so many Americans know so little about Puerto Rico. It’s because they know so little about just about anything.
VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE
Puerto Rico is a colony of the United as is Hawaii (absolutly stolen by US business interests). Reasons why the US is in control of Puerto Rico and many other nations for that matter is for a One-World government. The British Empire created the United States is to form a One world army and economy from Washington and London. (Research the Roman Empire and their multicultural society. It is unbelievable how much our people bow down to American interests when in fact they originally tried to kill us off with cancer (research Rhodes and the cancer shots) and through mass sterilization as they did to American Indian tribes (whom they exterminated more than 19 million in conservative estimates) to make Puerto Rico an American Base. Pedro Albizu Campos exposed this. What a shame that our people divided on our political status. The Americans keep us divided through media propaganda and of course the war on drugs who the US government ships in. Don’t believe me? research the Iran-Contra Affair of the 1980′s, the Vietnam war with the golden triangle, and now Afghanistan (Watch Geraldo Rivera on Fox NEWS with the U.S.Marines helping them grow the opium. all in your face..All of these people I am responding to WAKE-UP from your dreamworld. Especially you “lawyers” who study American Law, the only law that needs to be practiced is Natural law, our right to be human beings with our own destiny. America just wants you to be slaves (which you are in reality especially when you are depended on the collapsing US dollar!) Its about time. Que viva Puerto Rico libre!!!