Puerto Rico Advisory Committee Briefing on The Insular Cases and the Unincorporated Territory Doctrine

The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has been undertaking a study on The Insular Cases and the Doctrine of the Unincorporated Territory and its Effect on the Civil Rights of the Residents of Puerto Rico. This is the first Advisory Committee of its kind in Puerto Rico, and this will be their first public briefing. The event will include a series of panels and the main objective will be to provide a general overview of the topic in order to move forward with additional virtual panels for their study as the Committee works to develop recommendations for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

EVENT: Public Briefing of the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

SUBJECT: The Insular Cases and the Unincorporated Territory Doctrine and its Effect on the Civil Rights of the Residents of Puerto Rico – General Overview

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Time

LOCATION: Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Calle Federico Costas #170 Urb. Industrial Tres Monjitas, Hato Rey, P.R. 00918

Committee Chair Andrés Córdova Phelps said: “We are prepared to begin hearing testimony from a variety of experts and community members on the impacts that the Insular Cases have had on issues of voting rights, access to public programs and discrimination based on race and national origin. We look forward to hearing more detailed information that will help inform us about the civil rights concerns facing the residents of Puerto Rico to ensure a balanced view from various members of the community, academics, and legal experts. Their testimony will inform our Committee as we develop recommendations to improve these situations. We invite any interested members of the public to attend and share their perspectives during the public comment session.”

Members of the public will be invited to speak during an open comment period towards the end of the meeting and we recommend registering in advance. Members of the public are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives of the Insular Cases and the effects on the civil rights of the residents of Puerto Rico, paying particular attention to the issues of voting rights, access to public programs, and discrimination based on race and national origin. Please note this event will take place in Spanish. The transcripts will be translated to English for the Committee’s meeting records.

Individuals requiring additional accommodations should contact ebohor@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting to make the request. The Committee will also accept written comments related to this study. Please send written statements on this topic to Victoria Moreno, at vmoreno@usccr.gov until thirty (30) days after the briefing. Meeting materials will be available at the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee Public Folder.