recently Supreme Court’s decision Except for the possibility that President denies Trump’s congenital citizenship, who retain individuals born on American soil for unspecified parents, they will be retained, sending shocks through legal, political and immigrant communities.
Justice Sonia Sotomore Disagreement Alarm captured: “No right is protected.”
But beyond the continental United States, the decision is distinguished in a unique and intense manner in the American region Puerto Rico, caught in the political limb since 1898.
For more than a century, Puerto Ricons have placed American citizenship by constitutional guarantee, not by constitutional guarantee. That law – 1917 Jones-Frafot Act – Unilaterally Puerto Ricons (without their consent) were not recognized as a recognition of complete inclusion, but as a tool of colonial control.
Today, this statutory citizenship is proving to be weak as its colonial origin. The Supreme Court’s verdict now opens a comprehensive conversation: If American citizenship can be banned or redefined by federal authorities, Puerto Ricons are actually in the future within the American system?
Not much.
The ruling has already been made weapons by a pro -state movement in Puerto Rico. State advocates argue that only one state can ensure permanent, constitutionally preserved citizenship for future generations for future generations. But this narrow, fear-based reaction ignores both legal examples and geopolitical arguments.
There is a better way – a dignity, sovereignty and lies in international norms. Puerto Rico can become a sovereign nation, either under freedom or under the compact of the free union. In fact, the ruling freedom strengthens the case for freedom because the most appropriate and stable long -term solution for Puerto Rico and US.
Below Draft executive order Recently proposed to Trump’s view, Puerto Rico will become a sovereign nation. On independence, the statutory American citizenship provided by the Jones Act will stop applying for new births in Puerto Rico.
After independence, all individuals born in Puerto Rico will acquire Puerto Rickon Citizenship – their own national identity, defined by Puerto Rican law and values, not of distant foreign power.
However, this does not mean to complete American relations for individuals. Children born in Puerto Rico for American citizen parents (defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act) will be eligible for American citizenship through a consular report of birth abroad – a system already a system for American citizens worldwide.
For example, if an American citizen is a child in Paris, that child can achieve American citizenship. This preserves continuity for families with American roots, while respecting the sovereignty of Puerto Rico to carry forward its own citizenship policy.
In addition, Puerto Ricons that already have American citizenship in the moment of freedom will maintain it, and automatically achieve Puerto Rickon citizenship, as well as double citizens.
Those who no longer desire to have American citizenship, they will have the option to respect the freedom of personal identity and choice, under a rapid track renunciation process through the new American embassy in San Juan.
Puerto Rico’s supporter-state movement rarely mentions the state’s economic costs. Under the current law, most Puerto Ricons do not pay US federal income tax locally on sour income. This tax exemption will end under the state, and the results will be economically destructive.
US government’s accountability office warns A 2014 report That full application of federal tax laws may collapse the delicate economy of Puerto Rico. Under independence, Puerto Rican citizens will remain free from American federal taxes until they live in America, as standard for all foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, the New Republic of Puerto Rico will design and implement its national tax system based on its unique economic needs and preferences.
A sovereign Pureto Rico should still be associated with a free-transit agreement with the US-which allows a visa-free journey between the two countries for both US and Puerto Rickon citizens-will enable family unity, tourism, business and opportunities without the need for assimilation or dependence.
In fact, this clarity of the situation will help Puerto Ricons make decisions informed about their identity and future.
Those who feel mainly American and want to maintain congenital American citizenship for their children, they can move to any state in the US that mainly feel Puerto Rikon and seek to maintain their national culture, identity and Spanish language – finally they will be in a nation where their citizenship reflects their culture, language and aspirations.
Importantly, freedom will also stop the practice of foreigners who give birth in Puerto Rico to achieve American citizenship for their children – often there is no intention of integrating in Puerto Rican society.
The sovereignty will give Puerto Rico the right to define and defend its own naturalization and immigration policies, which protects both its demographic and cultural integrity.
The US Supreme Court has inadvertently accelerated to move forward for a long time.
If American citizenship is no longer safe for Puerto Ricons, there is neither a colonial style system that produces it. Instead of sticking to an uncertain future within an union, which has never welcomed him, Puerto Ricons now face a historical opportunity to define themselves on their terms.
Freedom does not mean isolation, but unity with the global community of nations. This means the relationship with the United States on the basis of freedom with dignity, citizenship and respect with the United States,Not colonial subjugation.
The birthright in Puerto Rico may be the end of American citizenship, contradictory, Puerto Rican Nationalism. The path ahead is clear to those who believe in justice, democracy and disintegration.
Puerto Rico should become a sovereign nation – not only for legal reasons, but also to fulfill the dignity of its people and its historical fate.
Xavier A. Hernandez is a former federal officer and writer “Prexit: Forgeing Puerto Rico’s path to sovereignty,” and “Puerto Rico: The Economic Case for Sovereignty.”
