The Democrats’ dream of making Puerto Rico a state to enhance their political position is sure to encounter significant resistance from the island’s residents, who aren’t interested in their political games.
The issue of Puerto Rican statehood has been a hot topic on the island for decades, with numerous referendums on the matter proposed and sometimes boycotted by opponents. But now, with the likes of Kamala Harris opening her mouth on the matter, this issue has come back closer to the forefront.
Last week, Fox News interviewed Puerto Rico natives to ask for their thoughts on the U.S. territory. Needless to say, they were not enthusiastic.
Many pointed out that if Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, became a state, taxes would rise, and the cost of living would skyrocket.
This would make life unaffordable for millions, especially since the average income for Puerto Ricans is lower than that of any state in the union. Moreover, Puerto Rico operates under a different federal tax structure.
“I don’t think it should be a state,” Carly, a Puerto Rico native who now lives in Connecticut, told Fox News. “I don’t want them to do to Puerto Rico what they did to Hawaii.
“I don’t want taxes to spike. People’s wages here are really low to maintain life here.”
“It wouldn’t benefit us to become a state…Everything would become more expensive than it already is, and locals have already been struggling for a while now,” Alejandra from San Juan, Puerto Rico, told Fox News.
“It would make stuff even worse,” she added.
WATCH:
Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly reject statehood in Fox News Digital interviews, citing fears of economic collapse, higher taxes, and the erosion of their cultural identity.
Residents on the island and in the mainland U.S. pushed back hard on the idea of becoming the 51st state —… pic.twitter.com/vbnsfllZ9D
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) August 23, 2026
Other Puerto Ricans cited what they viewed as the mistreatment of Puerto Ricans by the U.S. Government, along with President Trump, as reasons to oppose statehood.
“We really don’t have much of a say on what goes on in the states,” a person from San Juan going by the name Boo explained. “So if we become a state, how would that change?”
“There’s a lot of controversy with the… especially the president right now,” she added. “We don’t want to be a part of that, for sure.”
Some suggested that instead of becoming a state, Puerto Rico should seek independence and become its own country.
“I believe we have the full potential to become an independent country,” Angelie from San Juan told Fox News. “We have been colonized for so long.”
If Puerto Rico were to become a state, Democrats would almost certainly pick up two new Senate seats. Polling and election results show that Puerto Ricans consistently vote for Democratic candidates.
Thankfully, the Puerto Rican voters are prioritizing their own interests over the left’s pursuit of permanent political power.
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