The Pros And Cons Of Puerto Ricans

The final and most important reason why Puerto Rico should become a state is the disadvantages Puerto Ricans have remaining as a Commonwealth of the United States. Ever since Puerto Ricans have become citizens in 1917, their right to vote has been repeatedly rejected by Congress (Roman 1). This type of rule can be easily compared to the monarchy that ruled Britain in 1776, Puerto Ricans representing the exploited Colonists. The Federal District Court of Puerto Rico had ruled that Puerto Ricans “had a fundamental right to vote in presidential elections based on their American citizenship” (Roman 1); however, “the Constitution of the United States does not expressly grant United States citizens the right to vote,” only states have the right to vote (Janicker 3). The …show more content…
Puerto Rico does have a Congressman that can “make the voice of Puerto Ricans be heard,” but the resident commissioner “cannot vote on any matters[,] not even those that affect the island” (Badillo 3). This type of injustice can be compared to the taxed colonists that revolted against “no taxation without representation”. According to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514, “Immediate steps shall be taken, in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence ... with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable them to enjoy ... freedom” (67). With that fact in mind, the most recent study showed that over half of Puerto Ricans favored the statehood parties (Barreto 98). This type of behaviour towards Puerto Rico is not a new situation; in regards to Puerto Rico, “the residents of these new territories [Puerto Rico] enjoyed even fewer constitutional protections than had the inhabitants of earlier, ‘incorporated’