U.S. English Poll Shows Support for Puerto Rico Statehood is Lacking

U.S. English today released the following results from a poll conducted among residents of all eight electoral districts in Puerto Rico.

Washington, DC—U.S. English today released the following results from a poll conducted among residents of all eight electoral districts in Puerto Rico.

• Just 37% of respondents strongly agree that Puerto Rico should become a state of the United States of America.
• Only 28% of those polled would still support Puerto Rico becoming a state if the U.S. Congress required that in order to do so, English is made the sole official language of Puerto Rico.
• Support for statehood was fairly consistent among individuals whose total household income was below $55,000, averaging 53%. Support among individuals whose total household income was above $55,000 dropped to 29%. This is significant, as the average median household income in the United States in 2010 was $50,046. In Puerto Rico, it was only $18,862. Should statehood be chosen and approved, residents of Puerto Rico would become eligible for U.S. government programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. With 41% of Puerto Ricans living in poverty, this could represent a significant cost burden on the United States government.

The poll of 1,000 likely voters was conducted face-to-face September 13-17, 2012. U.S. English Chairman Mauro E. Mujica released this statement upon receiving the poll results:

  “It comes as no surprise that support for statehood among Puerto Rican citizens is lacking. Puerto Ricans currently have the best of both worlds—the flexibility of maintaining their unique culture while also enjoying the benefits of being United States citizens.

  “U.S. English has long declared that a supermajority—not simple majority—of Puerto Ricans must support statehood in order for the change in political status to be considered by the United States Congress. The 37% of respondents who indicated strong support for statehood in this poll is simply not enough. Choosing to become a state is a permanent decision and one that should not be taken lightly.

  “Even more alarming is that barely one quarter of those polled support Puerto Rico statehood if, in order for this to happen, English is declared the sole official language. In the United States, English is overwhelmingly the common language—official government business is conducted in English, judicial and legislative proceedings are conducted in English and our education system is taught in English.

   “In Puerto Rico, fewer than 20 percent of residents are proficient in English. While every United States citizen should have the right to speak whatever language they choose in their daily lives, without first becoming fluent in the common language of America, it is counterproductive to consider admitting a state that will be in linguistic isolation to the rest of the country.”

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NOTE: A recent poll conducted by Puerto Rico's El Nuevo Dia newspaper showed 51% of Puerto Ricans do not support changing the island's relationship with the United States. To view the article on The Huffington Post, please click here.