Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America and as an unincorporated territory they handle all of their internal affairs, while the United States handles the foreign affairs, military, trade and law. The island was under rule of Spain since 1493, but was put under American rule in 1898 after Spain seceded the land after the end of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico now as unincorporated territory of the United States receive no voting rights in the federal government even though they all receive American citizenship. Puerto Rico should receive the status of statehood so that its citizens can receive the full benefits of American citizenship and stop being treated like second class citizens or gain complete independence.
Giving statehood to Puerto Rico would also be beneficial for Puerto Rico and the United States. Right now Puerto Rico cost $22 billion a year for the US government, but if it were to join the Union, it is predicted that the new state would generate an extra $2 billion a year. Puerto Rican statehood would also allow the creation of new jobs there, because of right now around 45% of the population lives under the poverty line. In 1917 the Federal government of the United States granted American citizenship to all the residents of Puerto Rico. Since 1952 Puerto Rico has been allowed to elect their own governor. Even though the people of the territory are American citizens and have their own governor, like any other state in the Union, the people are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. They also get no voting rights in the US congress and they have no voting members in the House or in the Senate. The people their have been American citizens for almost 100 years and yet they have little to no say in the Federal government. Puerto Ricans have also served in the United States military and have died in combat serving under its flag. It doesn't make sense to treat treat them as second class citizens, even though they are American citizens and have fought for the US military.
There are some difficulties to Puerto Rican statehood. The people of Puerto Rico are divided on what they want for the country. In the most recent poll 44.07% Puerto Ricans want to remain as a territory, while 44.4% want statehood. This is a very slim majority and Congress has agreed that they would only want to make Puerto Rico a state if it was a clear majority of the population who wanted it. People on both sides of the issue have concerns about what would happen if Puerto Rico became a state. In the US, or mostly congressmen and politicians are afraid that Puerto Rico gaining statehood would unbalance the political environment of the US because then they would have to compete for another state to win the vote in. Puerto Ricans also have their own concerns. If admitted into the Union Puerto Ricans would have to begin paying Federal taxes. There is also fear the Puerto Rico would loose its identity. If they became a state Puerto Rico would have to go under the US during the Olympics and the Miss Universe pageants, instead of going on their own, which they have done in the past. Puerto Ricans also fear that will loose touch with their Spanish heritage and culture if they gain statehood.
There are some real concerns people have about Puerto Rico becoming a state, but they can all be overcame. Puerto Ricans should not be worried about losing their cultural identity. There are many communities in the US that still keep ties too their cultural and heritage, while at the same time adopting things from other cultures. Puerto Rico gaining statehood could help Puerto Rican culture mix into American culture, because isn't that what the US is about, the mixing of multiple cultures.
In order to stop treating Puerto Ricans as second class citizens one of two things need to happen. One Puerto Rico becomes an independent nation that is separate from the United States, or two Puerto Rico takes the next step and becomes the 51st state to join the Union.
Sources
Gov of Puerto Rico - http://welcome.topuertorico.org/government.shtml
Puerto Rico Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico
Recent Statehood in favor poll - http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/civil-rights/195439-playing-with-the-numbers-to-push-puerto-rican-statehood - http://guardianlv.com/2013/05/puerto-rico-could-become-51st-state/
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