On the 108th anniversary of Puerto Rico’s achievement of U.S. citizenship, the Puerto Rico Statehood Council, Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration banded together to hold the first annual Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit in Washington, D.C. This year, Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit 2026 will continue the good work of the first summit.
What is the Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit?
The Summit brings together political leaders, statehood advocates, and elected officials to meet with U.S. Senators and Members of Congress. The event begins with education and training to prepare advocates for meetings with legislators. With facts and insights under their belts, members of advocacy groups and individual advocates can meet legislators with confidence.
Who attends?
Statehood advocates from across the nation came to the first Summit. Members of citizens’ groups, youth, communities of faith, and individuals from a range of political perspectives united to share the most effective messages possible at 80 meetings with congressional offices. They shared the results of the 2024 status vote — 58% voted for statehood among three options.
This year, you can attend! Fill out the online form and submit to hold your place.
What is the goal?
First, educating and motivating Congress is essential. Only Congress can admit Puerto Rico as a state, and the Island has no voting representatives in Congress. Stateside Puerto Ricans and allies are the people who can reach their elected representatives and help them understand the facts about Puerto Rico’s status, and the importance of action. Educating Congress is key.
Can’t make it this year? Contact your legislators directly and make sure that they know that you want to see them on the right side of history.
2 Responses
SHARE/For your USE/Files! END Puerto Rico’s Federal Undemocratic Territorial Status!
–Support: EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS-DEMOCRACY for all “We the People”!–
(Patriots-Veterans for Equal Rights-USA Researched Summary)
Since 1898 (for over 126+ years)–the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States) is under Federal undemocratic control (with NO “consent of the Governed”)-as the US Constitution is NOT fully applied! Thus, the US Federal Government must act to ensure Equal Rights; revoke unjust/biased Laws; END PR’s unfair Territorial Status!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL “We the People”; NOT the Master of some!”
Key Facts: millions of US Citizens-Veterans in PR-don’t have full Civil Rights: NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding…that other US Citizens fully get; NO permanent “statutory” US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…; are under unfair Congressional plenary power! Plus, the Federal Government autocratically controls PR’s: Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.
• Per UNFAIR Territorial Clause (of 1787); unjust racist Insular Cases (of 1901-1925+); other biased Laws that discriminate & treat PR differently than other US Citizens/Veterans in the States, which goes against our core US Democratic principles!
The biased Territorial Status (without just Federal representation)–adversely affects everything—Economy/Jobs, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Social Programs…; brings instability; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; fuels an Exodus to the States…; is UN-AMERICAN!
“US Citizens/Veterans should come first; not Federal institutional discrimination!”
In our US Republic, the power should reside with all “We the People” (made up by Individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy! Fight for Right-END PR’s Federal undemocratic Status!
“NO Federal VOTE or just Representation = NO Democracy or a Tyranny of a Majority!”
Our Federal Government can end this unjust inequity now; amend/revoke unfair Laws that limit progress. But instead, some politically distort; spin; misinform; stereotype; provide meritless EXCUSES that blame the Victim; create double standards not applied to Other US Citizens! This results in confusion & stalemate–that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
You can’t have both ways (either support Equal Rights or Federal Domination)!
Puerto Ricans have loyally sacrificed, defended, & greatly contributed to the development of our noble USA; cherish their US Citizenship; have locally voted to END the unjust Territorial Status in 2012, 2017, 2020, & 2024 as Majority is FOR–
“PR Equality & Progress with STATEHOOD!”
But, the Federal Government continues to provide biased excuses; doesn’t act to end Federal undemocratic control!
“Support EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; our REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY!”
FIX: Take Civic Patriotic Action/Petition our Federal Government to Act–ensure Equal Civil Rights/a Democracy for all “WE THE PEOPLE”; END Federal suppression (since 1898) of US Citizens-Veterans in the US Territory of PR; admit PR as a State or do a Plebiscite on defined Non-Territorial Options which only are: “STATEHOOD” vs “INDEPENDENCE” (or “Independence with Free Association Pact”). No retreat; no surrender to injustice! Fight for a just cause!
“We are Stronger with a Union of States!” (“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!”)
Our US is a diverse, but UNITED, Union of Sovereign States-with STATE: Identity, Constitution, Flag, & Sovereignty-where each State complements each other; is stronger than by it-self…; brings more Progress for the Good of All!
+Only STATEHOOD guarantees a permanent US Citizenship as “statutory” US Citizens (even if residing in a State)—likely don’t have a permanent US Citizenship as its source-is the unfair “Territorial Clause” that allows the 1917 Jones Act (that can be revoked); racist “Insular Cases”… (+See Key Notes.)
“Puerto Ricans Sacrifice & Contribute to our diverse, but United-USA, since 1513!”
US Puerto Ricans (PR) are about 9+Million strong–are the 2d largest US Hispanic Ethnic Group (over 6 M-live in the States)—as they are integrated; loyally contribute (in all fields of endeavor) to our diverse, but, UNITED USA! Hispanic-PR Ancestors (1st Governor of PR) came from PR to Florida (in 1513)-107 years before the Pilgrims; brought Christianity, and other good things; help pioneer & develop our now USA; Others, bravely supported/fought in the US War of Independence…
+ PR, since 1898- patriotically sacrifice; shed sweat, blood, & tears for our US Flag (WWI; WW-II; Cold War, Korea; Vietnam; Global War on Terrorism…until today); serves as a Strategic Defense Outpost-protecting the South-East approach to our USA–counter-acting, in the Caribbean and Worldwide, threats to our National Security…
+ Today- PR has restructured its debt as its economy grows; has a balanced Budget; serves as a Commercial, Security, & Diplomatic Bridge to Hispanic/Latin America; pays more Federal Taxes than 6 States; has a better GDP than 14 States; is a US captive Market that creates about a million US Jobs; has the best Income per Capita than 32 Latin American Nations. PR helps grow our economy & protect our noble “UNION”—the best in the annuals of History!
“Silence to Federal suppression; supports injustice!”
PR-US Citizens-Veterans are being treated unjustly by their Federal Government! In our US Republic-the power should reside with-“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People” (Lincoln)! Take Civic Action/ contact our Federal Government- to ensure Equal Rights for All “We the People”; END-PR’s Federal undemocratic Territorial Status, now!
FACTS (not political distortion) SUMMARY—
+KEY FACTS on US Territory of PR+
(Summary Research per: US Constitution; US Supreme Court; US Justice Dept.; AI; Experts; History; Reason/Logic)
+ Status of PR is US Territory–per US Constitution’s unfair/trite Territorial Clause (1787)-“US Congress shall have the Power to dispose of & make all needful rules and regulations respecting the Territory or other Property that belongs to the US…” (Undemocratic)
*US Constitution only mentions 4 Status/forms of Government–one for: States, Territories, Indian Tribes, & District of Columbia.
*“Commonwealth”/“ELA-Free Associated State” isn’t a Status in the US Constitution; has NO legal meaning; is a political distorted name to cover-up/fool People as to the true Territorial Status. Besides, the US Congress is not above the US Constitution to create a new Status or give up its Territorial Clause powers, as it allowed PR to have a Territorial Government (per 1950 Federal Relations Act); gave a statutory (2d Class) US Citizenship (source: Territorial Clause-1917 Jones Act) that can likely be revoked by US Congress.
+ USSC Insular Cases (1901-1925+) based on racism-unjustly states-*“Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated US Territory; more foreign than domestic, belongs to, but, is not part of the US (soil)…” (not in US Constitution)- “Separate and Un-Equal Status” with limited US Constitution application/ 2d Class US Citizenship which goes against US core Values/Principles of a Representative Democracy.
*These nonsensical “double standards” were NOT applied to other US Territories before PR; are based on Racism by same Court of “Plessy vs Ferguson”(Black discrimination); condemned by Justice Marshall, Gorsuch, Sotomayor, & Others, who rightly support revoking them…Also, Justice Gorsuch and Thomas question the “Territorial plenary powers” of US Congress (Veneno Case)…
+ US Citizenship (Types/Basis/Sources): (See 8th USC Code-NATIONALITY & NATURALIZATION)
1. Individual Birthright Citizenship (permanent)-Code §1401- “jus soli” (right of soil) per 14th Amendment-States: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the US and of the State wherein they reside.” US Territories or Unincorporated Insular Possessions–are NOT mentioned nor have full Constitutional Rights/ Equal protection… (See “Insular Cases”/Other decisions.)
2. Individual Naturalization US Citizenship (permanent) (8 USC Code-Naturalization)-per 14th Amendment–process through which individual immigrants from other Countries can become US Citizens… (PR isn’t under this part/Code.)
3. Acquired Citizenship- “jus sanguinis”-right of blood by descent (8 U.S. Code § 1401/ § 1409/ § 1431/ § 1433) those individuals born in other Countries that acquired US Citizenship from their US Citizen Parents…
4. Statutory US Citizenship (non-permanent) per US Territorial Clause & racist Insular Cases (1901-1925+)-led to PR-Jones Act (1917)/ Code §1402-that grants “statutory US Citizenship” (can be amended or revoked) as US jurisdiction ENDs upon Independence…
+ The US Supreme Court has wrongly established that the US Constitution doesn’t fully apply to Puerto Rico, except for some broad rights that have not been defined (Downs vs Bidwell-1901; Balzac vs PR-1922; Harris v Rosario-1980; Other biased Cases).
+ PR lacks Parity in US Laws; Programs & Funding-Since 1898-has lost about $300 Billion in Federal funds (for Veterans, Social Security, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, Infrastructure, Education, SSI, etc.) that other US Citizens fully get!
+ Jones (Merchant Marine) Act (1920)-is outdated; stifles competition, etc.; plus, unfairly imposes higher costs on Puerto Ricans who pay about 40% of total; badly hurts the Economy/Progress; as a majority of States, don’t pay this unfair hidden US shipping tax.
+ Federal Plebiscite to END PR Territorial Status (suggested general definitions–per facts; not political distortion)–
• STATEHOOD-MEANS: Admission to our diverse “UNION of STATES”—united under our US Constitution, Laws, & Representative Democracy; EQUAL & permanent US Citizenship with– full Rights, Benefits, and Responsibilities;
PR-STATE Identity, Constitution, Flag, Sovereignty, etc.–as other States & US Citizens have under our noble US Flag…
• INDEPENDENCE- MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty under PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Jurisdiction-Constitution & Statutory US Citizenship Rights, and Benefits…
o INDEPENDENCE with Free Association PACT-MEANS: Puerto Rico National Sovereignty under PR Constitution/ Laws, PR Citizenship…; with loss of US Jurisdiction-Constitution & Statutory US Citizenship Rights, and Benefits… But, with a negotiated PACT between Independent Nations on Terms (like trade, defense, etc.) that can be terminated by either side…
*Free Association is a Pact between Independent Nations (with own Citizenship), like: Marshal Islands, Palau, & Micronesia.
*US Congress must protect statutory US Citizens in the States or let them Vote because the outcome affects them…
Some say: “All People are Equal” but, mean: “Some People are more equal than others”! (See “Animal Farm”)
“Even if one US Citizen can’t Vote; is one too many!”
Today, we must take Civic Action to respectfully educate/inform/Petition for Individual Equal Civil Rights that is the foundation of our Representative Democracy, as our Federal Government must ensure— “consent of the governed” for all “We the People”; and take ACTION to END Federal undemocratic control of the US Territory of Puerto Rico. PLUS–
(1) Revoke or amend unjust-biased/ undemocratic Laws that treat US Citizens-Veterans desperately (like-Insular Cases, 1920 Jones Act, etc.) (2) Amend the Territorial Clause (provide a time limit; more representation; vote for US President, etc.)
(3) Amend US Constitution (make it better)–adopt: “US Citizens’ Equal Rights-Protection Clause” that treats all good US Citizens equally-no matter the residency, under our noble US Flag.
“UNITED, with Facts, Truth and Reason, for the Good of ALL!”
“God Bless our diverse, but UNITED noble USA!”
+CONTACT: US Congress House.gov & Senate.gov US President: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ & MEDIA (Search AI)
POC: DENNIS O. FREYTES (MPA/MHR/BBA)-US Army Retired/Florida Veterans Hall of Fame/E: dennisfreytes@hotmail.com
ENCLOSURES
PIC: Grand Marshall Orlando Veterans Parade: