May 3, 2022

Episode 48: SCOTUS Just Reinforced Puerto Rico's Separate and Unequal Status


This week, we’re discussing Puerto Rico, specifically the many ways in which U.S. law continues to subject this and the other U.S. territories to second class status. The latest example? The Supreme Court recently ruled, in an unusual 8 to 1 decision, that Puerto Ricans can be denied government benefits, despite being U.S. citizens. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Adriel Cepeda Derieux of the ACLU about this case and how it is just the latest in a long line of oppressive measures taken by the United States against its territories.

Episode Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program

Episode Guest: Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU

Links:
"Congress Can't Discriminate Against Puerto Rico Residents Just Because They Live There," by Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux
“Nationals” but not “Citizens”: How the U.S. Denies Citizenship to American Samoans, by Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux and Gabriela Meléndez Olivera
SCOTUS decision in United States v. Vaello Madero

Email the Show: Podcast@ACSLaw.org

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Technical production provided by Flint Stone Media