In an opinion piece for the San Juan Daily Star, Gregorio Igartúa envisions what the inaugural day of an independent Puerto Rico as a new nation might entail. His article outlines various challenges that are likely to arise.
Citizenship
Igartúa highlights the ambiguity surrounding the continuation of U.S. citizenship for residents of a newly established Puerto Rican nation. He presents several scenarios regarding the status of U.S. citizenship in the emerging country, including a transitional period during which individuals born in Puerto Rico who are U.S. citizens will need to verify their citizenship and establish residency in a U.S. state or territory, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands or Florida. Igartúa concludes that all individuals born in Puerto Rico post-Independence will hold Puerto Rican citizenship, rather than American citizenship.
The consequences of losing automatic U.S. citizenship could be significant, as he describes: “Residents of Puerto Rico will need a passport for travel to and from the 50 states. Non-American citizens may require a visa. Those who wish to relocate to the United States will be subject to a quota system, similar to foreign nationals. It may take years for eligible Puerto Rican citizens of the Republic of Puerto Rico to transition to American citizenship and relocate.”
What Happens to U.S. Citizenship If Puerto Rico Becomes a Foreign Country? Possible Scenarios
Defense
Igartúa indicates that after independence, U.S. military service will no longer be available to Puerto Ricans. “Over 30,000 Puerto Ricans currently serving in the National Guard and Reserves will lose what is often their only well-paying job, along with the potential for a military pension,” he states.
Responsibility for Puerto Rico will shift away from the FBI, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, and police, necessitating that the new nation develop and implement its own defense and border security measures.
Safeguards and Protections
Agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and the FDA will cease to operate, leaving food and worker safety standards at risk until Puerto Rico establishes its own regulatory frameworks. Federal employees on the island will face job loss, and support from FEMA will be discontinued.
Igartúa warns that the FDIC’s guarantee on bank deposits will vanish, leading many depositors to transfer their funds to banks in the states to safeguard their assets, which could potentially instigate a banking crisis in Puerto Rico.
Financial Support and Individual Benefits
While there might be options for transitioning federal benefits, Igartúa suggests that programs like Medicare, Medicaid, nutrition assistance, Pell grants, and others could abruptly end.
Puerto Ricans will lose access to top-tier medical facilities in cities like Boston and Houston, which they currently utilize for specialized care under the U.S. Medicare system.
Furthermore, degrees and licenses from Puerto Rican educational institutions may not be recognized for employment in the states, complicating job opportunities.
Would Free Association solve these problems?
Some propose that negotiating a treaty or free association compact with the U.S. could resolve these challenges, but evidence lacking support for this assertion is noted. Instead, as Igartúa asserts:
“It is crucial to recognize that any political and economic relations between Puerto Rico and the United States will require treaty negotiations and agreements, similar to those with other nations. Puerto Rico must bear the costs of establishing embassies in various countries and sending representatives to international organizations. Moreover, there is no assurance that the Republic of Puerto Rico will adopt a democratic governance system, as many proponents of independence have shown admiration for Castro’s Cuba and Chávez’s Venezuela.”
U.S. Military Authority in the Freely Associated States
Economic Implications of Independence
Independence remains a viable option for Puerto Rico. However, in comparison to other Caribbean nations, Puerto Rico maintains a stronger economic position. Puerto Rico derives numerous advantages from its association with the United States, as Gregorio Igartúa details in his latest article for the San Juan Daily Star.
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