Puerto Ricans have voting rights - just not voting rights for the U.S. President because Puerto Rico is not incorporated. They do have representatives in our political parties though. They also do not pay all federal taxes (they do pay some but also have been designated as an independent taxation authority). So in a sense, they have almost the same benefits without the cost.

In the eyes of the law, you are both Americans. However, Puerto Rico only has fundamental rights from the U.S. Consitution. They have some autonomy as well. Once they arrive on the mainland, they can vote and can even run for congress. Whether or not they can run for President (after residing on the mainland) has never been addressed by the supreme court (yet). However, there is a precedence: Barry Goldwater was born in Arizona while it was still a U.S. territory, George Romney was born in Mexico to U.S. parents, and John McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone to U.S. parents.

There are many arguments that Puerto Ricans and even those born on U.S. soil on the mainland who move to Puerto Rico are disinfranchised.

As to who is more American? That is questionable. Both are American, but if you are American and you reside on the mainland you are subject to all of the U.S. laws and protections, but you also have more costs (all federal taxes). I'm not sure either could be considered "more American" (using your term), but certainly you fall under all of the laws and protections while Puerto Ricans (residing on Puerto Rican soil) fall under some of the U.S. rights and laws and also under their own.

In some cases, there is a benefit to being born in Puerto Rico.



>I didn't know where you were coming from (Mike and illegals), but in spite of how much legally, they are US citizens (although even at that I take exception due to that little stupid detail about their voting right, which imo makes them second class citizens in the eyes of the government - not as bad, but in concept, quite close to Jews in Germany in the 1930's), they're from a totally different culture. They have more in common with Dominicans than with someone born and raised in Miami.
>
>Legally, as I said, yes, they are not immigrants. I agree with you.
>
>Now, for the next question, I'm going to use "American" (incorrectly) as a nationality: Who do you think is more American, someone born in Puerto Rico without voting rights, or me, born in Venezuela, but now a US citizen?
>
>have fun!
>
>Alex
>
>>I disagree completely. True, they have a different culture, but not that different. They are U.S. citizens and moving here is no different than moving from state to another. They are Americans. They are NOT immigrants. Mike frequently uses Puerto Ricans in his arguments for illegal immigration and it is not the same thing. Not at all. They need no VISA to come live and work in the U.S. They are as American as you or I. The only difference is they cannot vote for the Presidency. I've been all over Central and South America and Spain and while it is similar to many latin american countries, Puerto Rico is not that much different (as some are) regardless of the native language being Spanish.
>>
>>
>>>WHAT?
>>>
>>>If you meant "Americans" with regards to the continent they were born in, yeah, Puerto Ricans are Americans (just like Colombians and Canadians).
>>>
>>>I've been at their airport a couple of times and have interacted with the locals there, and trust me, gringos, they ain't. Culturally, that is.
>>>
>>>For a Puerto Rican to move to the US is very much like for any other immigrant from Latin America.
>>>
>>>I don't see anything insulting in his post. Yes, Puerto Ricans are sort of US Citizens (they can't vote, which is what's considered the most important right here), and they're allowed to move freely into the continental US, but culturally someone born and raised here (in the US) and someone born and raised in PR are two very different people.
>>>
>>>Alex
>>>
>>>>Puerto Ricans are Americans. It is a commonwealth of the U.S.. They are U.S. citizens by birth. Moving to the U.S. is like moving from one state to another. It is all America. They have a distinct and rich culture, but they are NOT immigrants. Your post was actually insulting. Of course they are as American as they come - they are Americans!