If Puerto Rico were to become independent, what will happen to Puerto Ricans living in the US?

Answer 1

technically "what if" Puerto Rico goes independent Puerto Ricans will no longer be US citizen.

USA and Puerto Rico would probably work out a deal for Puerto Ricans living in the USA to keep their US citizenship and gain Puerto Rican citizenship.

Answer 2

It would be similar to what happened buring the 20th century when British colonies gained independence. The US would probably work out a deal so that Puerto Ricans in the US would be able to live and work in the US without any restrictions and could be given US nationality but not citizenship (this is what American Samoans and Swains Islanders). Puerto Ricans from Puerto Rico would become PR citizens, unless they had significant ties to the US (ie family, born in the US).

Or another possibility is that the US would create a special catagory visa, only issued to Puerto Ricans. This would be similar to the arrangement that New Zealand has with Australia, allowing NZ citizens to have the same benefits as Australian permanent residents except for unemployment welfare.

And it may not be the US which strips Puerto Ricans of US citizenship. During Britain's decolonisation period, a clause in the declaration of indpendence was often somethin like:

"All persons who, through birth or connection of CountryA, are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, shall cease to be citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies upon this date of independence and will become citizens of CountryA, unless they would still retain their citizeship of the UKC through other means"

So this may a clause included in the Puerto Rican declaration of independence. The decision to include this clause would be strongly influenced by the US.

Answer 3

It won't happen. But probably, the ones in the states would be given a choice of staying here as an American or going home to Puerto Rico. We're so PC like that.

Answer 4

This has never been tested in US history. I assume the supreme court would have to rule on it.

I'm guessing, however, that only the Puerto Ricans who choose to live in Puerto Rico would be affected.

Answer 5

The future political status of Puerto Rico continues to be a burning issue for all Puerto Ricans. The three political options are:
1. Commonwealth: the current status, established in 1952.
2. Statehood: Puerto Rico would become a state of the United States.
3. Independence: Puerto Rico would become an independent sovereign nation, in control of its own affairs.
The issue regarding the status of Puerto Rico are complex. Beginning in 1946, the Decolonization Committee of the United Nations required the United States to report to it on a regular basis on the political, social, and economic status of Puerto Rico. After the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952, the United Nations declared that Puerto Rico had reached a new constitutional status and decided that it would no longer require such reports. In 1960s, as a result of continued pressure from the Puerto Rican independence movement, the United Nations decided to reopen discussions on the political status of Puerto Rico.
In1967 a plebiscite (referendum) was held in Puerto Rico on the issue of political status. The majority of the people voted for the continuation of commonwealth status. In 1993 another plebiscite was held; this time 46.3 percent of the people voted in favor of statehood, 48.6 percent voted to continue commonwealth status, and 4.4 percent voted for independence. In 1994, the Puerto Rican legislature requested that the U.S. Congress define the necessary steps to resolve the future political status of Puerto Rico. In response, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R.856), bringing the United States closer to a national discussion of the future status of Puerto Rico.
Despite the many challenges Puerto Ricans face today, they continue to play a significant role in the politics and government of the United States and to bring a wealth of contributions to all aspects of the economic, political, social, professional, intellectual, artistic, and cultural life of the United States.

If Puerto Rico became independent, it would be a sovereign nation, with the same control of its own affairs as any country. It would have the following characteristics:
Citizens of both Puerto Rico and the United States would no longer automatically have the right to travel between the two countries. They would be subject to the immigration laws of both countries.
Puerto Rico would have its own constitution with control over domestic and foreign affairs. For example, Puerto Rico might be free to do more trading with countries other than the United States.
Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico would no longer be citizens of the United States. They would not vote in U.S. elections, but in their own elections.
Puerto Rico would have its own government, including representative bodies and elected officials.
Puerto Rico would elect a president with more power than the current governor. The House and Senate, or their equivalents, would have more power than the current Puerto Rican House and Senate.
The Puerto Rican National Guard would no longer be controlled by the U.S. government.
Puerto Rico would make and enforce its own laws to protect the environment.
Puerto Rico would develop its own postal and immigration regulations.
Puerto Ricans would pay taxes to their own government.
Puerto Rico would have to develop its own military defense.
The U.S. military would no longer be able to use Puerto Rico as a base in the Caribbean and as a military testing site for weapons, unless a special agreement were negotiated between the two countries.

Answer 6

dam then puerto ricans woud have to be puerto ricans, What an idea

Answer 7

They would still be US citizens. Under the US constitution and relevant supreme court rulings, US citizenship, once obtained, cannot be revoked by the government unless surrendered. I forget the name of the case but you can look it up.

Answer 8

I think more than likely they would give them dual citizenship

Answer 9

Dont worry--it won't happen. I don't engage in fantasy, let's pretend games.....unless they involve me, Prince Harry, and a tiara.

Answer 10

we dont want it... we dont want gringos walking around thinking they own the place.... ew..