Reuters: Puerto Ricans to vote on U.S. territorial status

[visionary]

just to play devils advocate...

If I was a congressional politician, I would call into question border security and I completely understand that Puerto Rico is an island. At the moment, the illegal port of entry easiest to get is FL. But I wonder about the security of Puerto Rico... I fully admit that I know nothing about their security related to their neighbors (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica).

I could see Puerto Rico becoming an immigration liability if it did not have an adequate system in place to deal with it. I would request a review of it. Additionally, I will not be remotely surprised to read in the news in the coming weeks and months about people flocking to PR in anticipation of statehood approval.

Just review the map below...
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/c...s/caribnew.gif

Does them being a state make that much of a difference though in terms of immigration there?

[Ellis]

Right now, if you are born in Puerto Rico you are a US citizen. So illegals can already try to go there. Becoming a state wouldn't change that.

I know that.
I'm talking about the citizens of the OTHER islands going to Puerto Rico as an entry point to the U.S.

Does them being a state make that much of a difference though in terms of immigration there?

I don't know.
I'm completely speculating and playing devils advocate... I'm genuinely curious though!

[DjTj]

I know that.
I'm talking about the citizens of the OTHER islands going to Puerto Rico.

But people from other islands can go to Puerto Rico now and would be in the United States. How would Puerto Rico becoming a state change that at all?

[Ellis]

But people from other islands can go to Puerto Rico now and would be in the United States. How would Puerto Rico becoming a state change that at all?

we're discussing "what if's" and I can't answer this question.

As stated before... this referendum would go before congress and they would approve or deny the request for statehood.
I'm simply offering points that "may" be brought up as the issue is debated.
I'm curious how all the pro-statehood and anti-statehood politicians would argue their case. Anything I've written in this thread is my guess at what some may bring up, whether they're valid points or not. Who knows, it may not even be that kind of process.

I do not know the formal process of applying for statehood in congress. I would love to know! Especially since it doesn't happen often.

[Symbol]

My old age won't allow me to remember the year, but I remember one year where it was up for debate and the "mainland" government wanted Puerto Rico to be a state but wanted 2 make it this only if Guam agreed as well. Guam didn't want it so the government, to my old memory, wasn't sure if they should have statehood.

My personal opinion is, in this day and age, if we're going to call them part of the U.S., they should get full benefits and become a state. Yeah paying federal taxes sucks, but you also get other benefits that the taxes should pay for.

[Ellis]

My old age won't allow me to remember the year, but I remember one year where it was up for debate and the "mainland" government wanted Puerto Rico to be a state but wanted 2 make it this only if Guam agreed as well. Guam didn't want it so the government, to my old memory, wasn't sure if they should have statehood.

That seems to mirror the early 1800's as the U.S. expanded west. Wasn't it true that for every southern slave state that was added, a free northern state was also added to nullify a domination of political ideology?

[Koolblue13]

It's not easy to get in and out of the country down here because it's a bunch of islands. It would be easier to sneak onto the main land.

Also, try going to other countries, even places like Costa Rica who are encouraging continentals to move their and try working without proper documents.

It's only in America that you can just sneak in, buy a car, get a job and prosper.

[SnyderShrugged]

It's not easy to get in and out of the country down here because it's a bunch of islands. It would be easier to sneak onto the main land.

Also, try going to other countries, even places like Costa Rica who are encouraging continentals to move their and try working without proper documents.

It's only in America that you can just sneak in, buy a car, get a job and prosper.

Oh good! Glad you stopped in KB! (You live in PR right?)

From what you have seen there, what political leanings do you think would dominate there? I've read and heard of it going both ways and havent yet seen anything that supports either viewpoint.

[SnyderShrugged]

Nope, I'm not on that huge land mass. I live on a tiny little rock about 50 miles east of there.

There is no way the USVI wants to be a state.

Territory status is awesome.

sorry about that, now I know what USVI stands for too. (I feel so dumb! LOL)

[Koolblue13]

Oh good! Glad you stopped in KB! (You live in PR right?)

From what you have seen there, what political leanings do you think would dominate there? I've read and heard of it going both ways and havent yet seen anything that supports either viewpoint.

Nope, I'm not on that huge land mass. I live on a tiny little rock about 50 miles east of there.

There is no way the USVI wants to be a state.

Territory status is awesome.

[Rdskns2000]

It would be political. Same reason DC doesn't get statehood - Republicans don't want to give Democrats more Senators and Congressmen.

D.C. doesn't deserve statehood. They are too small. What D.C. deserves to address their lack of Representation is:

1. Since the land D.C. was taken from Maryland, the citizens should be allowed to vote for the Senators in Maryland.

2. D.C. does deserve a congressman or two and to balance that out, create a new congressional Republican leaning state.


If Republicans want to start appealing to hispanics; allowing PR to become #51 would be a start. I think though PR citizens would end up saying no; once they found out they had to pay income taxes.

[Ellis]

If Republicans want to start appealing to hispanics; allowing PR to become #51 would be a start. I think though PR citizens would end up saying no; once they found out they had to pay income taxes.

They know. It's been one of the main reasons they've avoided a referendum on statehood for so long.

[JMS]

just to play devils advocate...

(Border Security)...
I fully admit that I know nothing about their security concerning their neighbors (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica).

I could see Puerto Rico becoming an immigration liability

People who live in Porto Rico are already United States Citizens and don't need a visa or passport to visit or move to the United States, so what would statehood change on that front?

Besides it's not exactly like any of our boarders are secure anyway.

[DallasCowboyFan156]

Fine by me. I say let them become a state so that they pay federal income tax. We could use a little extra revenue.

[thebluefood]

Fine by me. I say let them become a state so that they pay federal income tax. We could use a little extra revenue.

Good point. We could use the extra cash. Making them a state might be the most fiscally sound decision.

What say the rest of you?