Citizenship

Translation by Hans Perl Matanzo

Since 1917 the U.S. Congress has disposed that those who are born in Puerto Rico automatically become citizens of the United States. As a result of that citizenship, when Puerto Ricans travel outside of Puerto Rico they are obliged to use a passport issued by the United States State Department. When travelling to the United States, Puerto Ricans are not required to make use of a passport. Since 1900 Puerto Ricans have been able to travel to the United States without restrictions.

The United States has not recognized the right of Puerto Ricans to obtain the citizenship which naturally corresponds to their Puerto Rican nationality. Juridically speaking, Puerto Ricans have been denied the right to become citizens of Puerto Rico as we have also been denied the right to unabridged sovereignty over our nation. As such, we are forced to accept a ficticious citizenship which is incongruous with our Puerto Rican nationality.

Independence will come accompanied with the international recognition of our Puerto Rico citizenship, with all the rights and prerogatives which are inherent to the pocession of a citizenship of a sovereign republic.

All persons born in Puerto Rico before or after the proclamation of independence will become citizens of the Republic of Puerto Rico and will have the right to use a passport issued by the Government of the Republic for the purpose of travelling throughout the world.

After the proclamation of independence, the continuation or cessation of Puerto Ricans' status as U.S. citizens will depend on what is disposed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Those who wish to resign their U.S. citizenship after obtaining the citizenship awarded by the Republic of Puerto Rico will be able to do so. Those persons born before the proclamation of independence who wish to retain their U.S. citizenship will have a right to do so. The option to remain a citizen of the United States will constitute a personal decision that in all probability will be guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the laws of the United States and the laws of the Republic of Puerto Rico.

After independence is proclaimed, those persons who are born in Puerto Rico will become citizens of Puerto Rico. Nevertheless, if they so choose, Puerto Ricans will have the option of acquiring the citizenship of other countries, including that of the United States. They will be able to do so contingent on their fulfillment of the requirements established by the corresponding laws of whichever country/ies they intend to obtain citizenship from. For example, if any of the parents of a Puerto Rican are citizens of the United States and that person adequately fulfills all the necessary conditions disposed by the citizenship laws of the United States, the son or daughter of that U.S. citizen will be able to obtain U.S. citizenship, in addition to his/her Puerto Rico citizenship which will not be revoked unless that person chooses to resign it. Those Puerto Ricans who have another country's citizenship in addition to being citizens of Puerto Rico will be able to use either of their passports in order to travel outside of their respective countries of citizenship.