Final answer:
Puerto Ricans may be sensitive to being labeled as immigrants given their status as US citizens, which grants them the freedom to live and work throughout the States. Despite this, they have faced discrimination similar to that experienced by immigrants, complicating their identity and acceptance in the US.
Step-by-step explanation:
Puerto Ricans may take issue with being perceived as immigrants because they are US citizens by virtue of the island’s status as a US commonwealth. Unlike immigrants who come to the US seeking citizenship, Puerto Ricans are born with this privilege and do not need to undergo the immigration process. Their perception as “foreigners” can be a source of frustration, particularly when it comes with associated discrimination and the denial of rights that are inherently theirs as US citizens.Since Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States in 1898 and its inhabitants granted US citizenship in 1917, Puerto Ricans have the legal right to move freely and settle anywhere within the United States without the restrictions typically faced by immigrants.
However, despite this status, they have encountered significant challenges and barriers, including discrimination and social exclusion similar to those faced by new immigrants. This is in part due to perceptions stemming from racial, linguistic, and cultural differences, as well as economic competition and the historical treatment of non-continental US territories.The history of Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States is complex. In New York City during the mid-20th century, Puerto Ricans faced explicit discrimination, and their right to vote was challenged, despite their US citizenship. The development of an American identity among different immigrant groups over time highlights the contrast with Puerto Ricans, who did not immigrate in the traditional sense but were recruited or displaced due to economic policies impacting their home island.