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Jones-Shafroth Act (1917)

1917

This act enacted U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans after the United States acquired the island as an incorporated territory in 1898.

Resources

Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship March 2, 1917

Discussion Questions

How did the United States acquire possession of Puerto Rico?

How long did Puerto Ricans wait to be granted citizenship rights?

What is the status of Puerto Rico today?

Summary

The Jones Act clarified the status of Puerto Ricans after the United States acquired Puerto Rico, along with Cuba and the Philippines, in 1898 after its military victory over Spain. As inhabitants of an incorporated territory, Puerto Ricans could participate in U.S. elections and send a nonvoting representative to Congress.

As in the Philippines, the Puerto Rican independence movement against Spain was quashed with its acquisition by the United States. In contrast to Puerto Ricans, Filipinos did not gain U.S. citizenship and were categorized instead as “U.S. nationals,” which allowed them the right to migrate within U.S. territory but not to vote. Puerto Ricans continued to agitate for greater autonomy and independence from the United States and gained the status of a commonwealth in 1952.

Source

CHAP. 145.-An Act To provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of this Act shall apply to the island of Porto Rico, and to the adjacent islands included belonging to the United States, and waters of those islands; and the name Porto Rico as used in this Act shall be held to include not only the island of that name but all the adjacent islands as aforesaid.

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  • Lesson Plans
    • Overview of Major Laws
    • Asian Immigration
    • Citizenship
    • Labor and Economic Priorities
    • European Immigration
    • Family and Chain Migration
    • Gender and Immigration
    • Immigration Laws and Enforcement
    • Immigration and International Relations
    • Immigration Stations
    • Migrations within the Americas
    • Refugees / Asylum
    • Standards
  • Additional Resources
  • Glossary

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