The idea of making Puerto Rico the 51st state has been discussed in Washington for decades, but the facts are clear: statehood is a poor deal for both Puerto Rico and the United States. In today’s political climate, where the “America First” movement promotes cultural unity, limited government, and fiscal responsibility, statehood directly conflicts with those values and principles.

Breezy Baldwin" src="https://images.americanthinker.com/eg/egsmjleqjm1mn26drq0u_640.jpg" />

Image by Breezy Baldwin. CC BY 2.0.

A Nation That Will Not Assimilate

Puerto Rico is not an “unincorporated territory” just waiting to join the Union. It is a nation with over 500 years of history, a unique Caribbean-Latin American culture and identity, and a strong dedication to its Spanish language. Despite 127 years under U.S. control, Puerto Ricans have consistently resisted, rejected, and fought against assimilation.

Even the island’s pro-statehood leaders avoid calling themselves “Americans,” preferring to identify as "Puerto Ricans with U.S. citizenship.” U.S. citizenship was imposed on Puerto Ricans in 1917 without their consent, and it has never changed the core Puerto Rican national identity. As the U.S. Code itself states (26 U.S.C. § 2209), Puerto Ricans are considered non-resident aliens for legal purposes at the time of death. Since U.S. law treats us as foreigners when we pass away, isn’t it reasonable not to want to be American while we’re alive?

For an America First movement that truly values a shared language and culture, admitting a Spanish-speaking nation that resists........

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