Puerto Not So Rico

AP US Government and Politics

What percentage of Americans think people born in Puerto Rico are American citizens?*

Are people born in Puerto Rico U.S. citizens?

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. What most surprised you about this data?

3. Are people born in Puerto Rico U.S. citizens?*

4. Do you support aid for the people of Puerto Rico?

5. Do Puerto Ricans vote in US presidential elections?**

6. Do Puerto Ricans pay social security and medicare tax?**

7. Are Puerto Ricans represented in the U.S. congress?**

8. Can the Puerto Rican Congressional representative vote?**

9. What does federalism have to do with Puerto Rico?

10. When people learn that Puerto Ricans are Americans how does that affect their view on sending aid to Puerto Rico?***

11. How do you think age and education affects people's knowledge of Puerto Rican citizenship?****

12. Does knowing that Puerto Ricans are Americans affect your view on hurricane relief?

13. What incentive does the P.O.T.U.S. have to help Puerto Rico?

14. What steps would it take to make Puerto Rico a state with Senators, voting members of the House of Representatives, and electoral college votes?

15. Explain your opinion on Puerto Rico becoming an American state?

*Yes, people born in Puerto Rico are citizens!

Learning Extension**

Here's some things you and your fellow citizens ought to know about Puerto Rico but were afraid to ask.

Action Extension

Interview 10 people and ask them if they think Puerto Ricans are American citizens. Tell them the answer.* Share their responses and reactions online and in class.

Bonus Chart***

Bonus Facts

****Only 37 percent of people ages 18 to 29 know people born in Puerto Rico are citizens, compared with 64 percent of those 65 or older. Similarly, 47 percent of Americans without a college degree know Puerto Ricans are Americans, compared with 72 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree and 66 percent of those with a postgraduate education.