Understanding Puerto Rico’s Civic Identity: Nationality vs Citizenship

The question “If Puerto Rico doesn’t have a nationality, why are people born there called Puerto Ricans and not Americans?”

is a complex one that intersects with political, legal, and cultural dynamics. This article aims to clarify the confusion surrounding the civic identity of Puerto Ricans.

Puerto Rican Nationality and American Citizenship

Puerto Ricans hold a unique status: they are both Puerto Rican nationals and American citizens. This duality is the result of historical and legal developments that have shaped the island’s relationship with the United States.

While Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, it is not a state. It is an “unincorporated territory,” a term recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court under its Insular Cases. This status means that Puerto Rico does not have the legal standing of a state within the U.S. government.

Nationality and Legal Obligations

The United Nations recognizes Puerto Rico as a nationality. In the context of nationality, a person can be considered a part of a specific group within a larger nation. For instance, individuals from the Kurdish, Palestinian, or Sami communities have their own nationalities within their respective countries.

In 1953, the U.S. Congress passed the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act, which affirmed the island's status as an unincorporated territory. This act, along with the U.S. Constitution and international legal frameworks, places Puerto Rico under U.S. jurisdiction without granting full statehood status.

The Legal Obligations of the United States

As a member of the United Nations, the U.S. is committed to the decolonization of Puerto Rico. The U.N. Charter, specifically Article 73, obliges member states to promote the economic and social advancement of their dependent territories. If Puerto Rico achieves self-governance, it would transition from a U.S. territory to a sovereign nation.

The status of Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory violates provisions of the U.S. Constitution, as the U.S. Congress retains full control over the island’s affairs without meeting the legal requirements of statehood. The legal disputes over Puerto Rico’s status are ongoing, reflecting a tension between U.S. federal authority and the island’s pursuit of greater autonomy.

Civic Identity: Puerto Ricans vs Americans

Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans also self-identify as Puerto Ricans. This duality is similar to other national identities within the U.S., such as Sicilians who are Italian citizens by birth but are often referred to as Sicilians in the context of their connection to an ancestral culture.

Just as individuals born in Texas are called Texans, and those born in Oregon are called Oregonians, Puerto Ricans are called Puerto Ricans due to their association with the island and its culture. This does not detract from their American citizenship but rather complements it.

Confusion and Political Context

There is some confusion about Puerto Rico’s status, and it is often influenced by political interests. The debate over whether Puerto Rico is a territory or a nation involves complex negotiations between the U.S. government and local leaders, as well as international organizations.

One website, Is Puerto Rico a Country - Puerto Rico 51st, explores this ambivalence in depth, highlighting both the historical and contemporary challenges of defining Puerto Rico’s status.

Ultimately, understanding the civic identity of Puerto Ricans requires recognizing both their nationality and their citizenship. They are not merely Americans; they are people with a rich cultural and historical connection to their island home.

This duality serves as a unique facet of the U.S. and Puerto Rican relationship, encapsulating a complex interplay of identity, rights, and legal status.