The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held an in-person briefing on the Insular Cases and territorial doctrine. Testimony from community members and experts helped establish the record for its multiyear civil-rights study. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

A virtual advisory committee panel examined economic questions and the Uniformity Clause. This session continued the May briefing and supplied testimony for a later memorandum on the relationship between territorial doctrine, federal policy and Puerto Rico’s economy. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

The Puerto Rico advisory committee announced its first Insular Cases memorandum, originally written in Spanish and translated into English. It summarized testimony about territorial treatment, citizenship and access to public programs, beginning a series that would lead to a final report. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

The advisory committee published the second part of its general overview of the Insular Cases. Drawing on its September 2023 briefing, it documented economic perspectives and preliminary recommendations while preparing further work on voting rights, discrimination and public programs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

The Puerto Rico advisory committee published findings from its study of federal voting rights. It examined territorial limits on representation, testimony about citizenship and self-determination, and preliminary recommendations for addressing Puerto Rico’s position in federal decision-making. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

The advisory committee’s fourth memorandum examined unequal federal benefits and the role of race and ethnicity. Testimony addressed Medicaid, SSI, veterans’ benefits and nutrition assistance, documenting program differences and their effects on vulnerable residents. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.

The Puerto Rico advisory committee issued its final report on territorial doctrine and residents’ civil rights. The bilingual report assembled its multiyear inquiry into a public resource for evaluating unequal treatment, representation and access to federal programs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.