“Taxation without representation” was the rallying cry of the American Revolution. A principle as invaluable as gold, permanently shaping the nation’s foundational ideals and defining national sovereignty. Like gold, this ideal was rare, creating the early American identity and establishing a lasting standard of sovereignty and freedom from oppressive rule, a treasure that would forever guide the nation’s course.
However, not everything that shines is gold. Just like the colonies once stood in protest against unjust taxation by the British crown, the example of Puerto Rico today reveals a glaring hypocrisy.
As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico is subject to many of the same federal laws and taxes imposed on mainland Americans. Yet Puerto Ricans lack full representation in Congress and cannot vote in presidential elections.
Technically, Puerto Rico does have a “representative” in Congress — if you can call it that. The Resident Commissioner can sit in on debates, offer opinions and maybe even smile for the cameras, but when it comes to actual voting power, they have none.
It’s like being invited to a feast but only being allowed to watch while everyone else eats.
Furthermore, Puerto Rico receives less federal funding in programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Supplemental Security Income. For example, in 2022, the federal government covered about 55% of Puerto Rico’s Medicaid costs, compared to an average 73% for U.S. states.
Although Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes on local earnings, they do pay most other federal taxes, including Social Security and Medicare.
So, in reality, it’s not just like sitting at the dinner table and receiving no food — it’s like having your food taken away while watching everyone else eat.
Not to mention, in recent years, multinational corporations have increasingly moved into Puerto Rico, taking advantage of new tax exemptions and incentives that are supposed to stimulate economic growth. These measures, like Act 20 and Act 22, offer significant tax breaks to wealthy investors and corporations, allowing them to pay little to no local taxes on certain types of income. While these laws were designed to attract capital to the island, they have made it easier for large corporations to dominate the local market.
As a result, many Puerto Rican-owned businesses struggle to compete with these powerful multinationals, which can operate under much more favorable tax conditions. A 2019 report found that about 90% of the tax incentives under Acts 20 and 22 went to non-residents, while local businesses received little to no direct benefit. Moreover, as MNCs took over key sectors, local business bankruptcies increased by 10% from 2018 to 2020.
The system that is supposed to lift Puerto Rico out of economic difficulties is instead paving the way for outsiders to profit at the expense of local business owners and workers.
Despite the numerous challenges Puerto Rico faces, its citizens have little say over the island’s political future or sovereignty. Over the years, several referendums have been held, asking Puerto Ricans whether they want to remain a U.S. territory, become a state, or pursue independence. The results have been mixed and controversial. In 2017, a non-binding referendum showed that 97% of those who voted were in favor of statehood, but the turnout was only about 23%,calling into question the legitimacy of the result.
The fundamental issue is that while Puerto Ricans can vote in these local referendums, they cannot unilaterally change their political status. Congress holds the ultimate authority to admit a new state into the Union, and the U.S. government has shown little interest in taking concrete steps toward resolving Puerto Rico’s status. As a result, the island remains in a political limbo.
For those who feel passionate about the issues facing Puerto Rico, there are tangible actions regular people can take to push for change. First and foremost, spreading awareness is key.
Many Americans are unaware of Puerto Rico’s political and economic struggles, so sharing information — whether through social media, blogs or discussions — can help raise visibility. In fact, a 2017 survey conducted by Morning Consult found that only 54% of Americans were aware that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
Supporting organizations that focus on Puerto Rican rights and political activism is also crucial. Groups like the Puerto Rico Statehood Council and other advocacy networks work to lobby Congress and raise awareness about Puerto Rico’s plight. At NC State, we have the Latin American Student Association, which welcomes all students, regardless of their race or identity. You can attend their events to show support and learn about important issues affecting the Latinx community, like the issue of Puerto Rico’s sovereignty.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, voting during this election period with Puerto Rico in mind is important. In the context of Puerto Rico’s political future, Vice President Kamala Harris stands as a better candidate than former President Donald Trump to grant Puerto Ricans the rights and representation they deserve.
Harris has supported initiatives like the Puerto Rico Status Act, which would allow the island to hold a binding referendum on statehood, independence or free association. In contrast, during Trump’s presidency, there was little movement toward resolving Puerto Rico’s political status, and his administration was often criticized for its slow and inadequate response to the island’s economic crises and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Mari.
However, as long as Congress holds the menu, Puerto Ricans will keep going hungry at the table of American democracy. But with growing awareness and political momentum, there is hope that the Puerto Rican citizens will soon have a real seat at the table, with the rights and representation that an American citizen deserves.
