Understanding the Puerto Rican People: Governance, Demographics, and Modern Realities
By Marcus Vance
Are all Puerto Ricans natural-born citizens of the United States?
Yes. Under the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 and Section 302 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, all individuals born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens at birth. They hold U.S. passports and can move, live, and work anywhere within the fifty states without immigration visas.
Do residents of Puerto Rico pay federal income taxes?
Most residents do not pay federal individual income taxes on income earned purely from local sources inside the archipelago. However, residents do pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), federal import tariffs, commodity taxes, and applicable estate taxes, alongside substantial local income and consumption taxes.
Can people living in Puerto Rico vote for the U.S. President?
No. While citizens living in Puerto Rico can participate in party presidential primary elections, the U.S. Constitution provides for presidential electors only from recognized states and the District of Columbia. Therefore, residents cannot cast ballots in the general presidential election unless they establish legal residency in one of the 50 states.
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
