Technically, Puerto Rico isn't considered part of the US, even though certain laws treat it like it is for example, it's included in the US for import and export purposes. Instead, the law says it belongs to the US as a type of possession called an "unincorporated territory". Unincorporated territories are places where courts have said the US constitution doesn't apply unless and until the the US government says so. It's also possible for a territory to be "incorporated" as part of the country.
Besides the 50 states and the District of Columbia national capital zone Washington, DC , the only incorporated territory of the US today is the remote, uninhabited Pacific island of Palmyra Atoll. Although the territory has no voting representation in the US legislature, it does have a non-voting delegate, known as the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico.
In short, because its people haven't firmly asked for it. Though the original decision not to make Puerto Rico part of the the US was based on blatantly racist court rulings in the early s, its people voted in to remain a self-governing territory instead of a state. Several referendums since then have been less conclusive. Support for Puerto Rico's current status has plummeted, but votes in and were carried out in controversial ways, failing to a get a clear picture of whether the majority of Puerto Ricans want to become a US state more details in our article on the referendum.
But that might be about to change. And if they choose yes, there's a very real chance the territory could become a state in the coming years. To learn all about what's happening, how things might turn out, and how Puerto Rico would compare to the other 50 or 51 states, check out our explainer on the Puerto Rico statehood referendum.
Anyone born in Puerto Rico is automatically a US citizen. They're also citizens of Puerto Rico - but since this second citizenship isn't from an independent country, they have to use US passports to travel internationally. Although their citizenship is granted by the US legislature and not guaranteed by the US constitution, today Puerto Ricans are legally considered Americans in every way.
That includes eligibility to serve in the US military, where quite a few of them have risen to high ranks. But voting is a different story It's complicated. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country. Epic floods leave South Sudanese to face disease and starvation.
Travel 5 pandemic tech innovations that will change travel forever These digital innovations will make your next trip safer and more efficient. But will they invade your privacy? Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs.
Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries.
History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia. Magazine How one image captures 21 hours of a volcanic eruption.
Science Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. Science The controversial sale of 'Big John,' the world's largest Triceratops. Science Coronavirus Coverage How antivirals may change the course of the pandemic. Science Coronavirus Coverage U. Travel A road trip in Burgundy reveals far more than fine wine.
Pro-independence movements on the island continued to call for autonomy. To quell tensions, in , the U. Under the act, a senate and bill of rights was established; however, the U. More than three decades later, in , the United States allowed Puerto Rico to draft a constitution , as long as it did not alter its territorial status and established a republican form of government and a bill of rights.
After the Legislature of Puerto Rico held a constitutional convention to draft the constitution, it was approved by the president and Congress in Decades after adopting the status of commonwealth, there remains confusion around what the classification means. Early adopters believed the designation would give Puerto Rico a special legal status that wasn't a state, independent country or territory. They surmised that because the island had an elected self-government and a constitution that it was no longer a colony.
However, Ponsa-Kraus and other constitutional scholars argue that because the U. Further complicating the matter of status, the official name of Puerto Rico in Spanish is different from its name in English.
In Spanish, the territory is referred to as el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico , which translates to a free associated state. Under international law, a free associated state is an independent country that has enhanced association with another country through a treaty. This is also a misnomer since Puerto Rico is not an independent country but rather a U.
For hundreds of years, the people of Puerto Rico have fought to decolonize the archipelago. However, there has long been division over the best way to resolve this issue: statehood, enhanced commonwealth status where Puerto Rico is still in relationship with the United States but given more autonomy or independence.
Likewise, by simple legislation, Congress can provide for the independence of a territory.
0コメント