A diaspora: in Greek, “a scattering, dispersion.”

This is the name that we chose for our project on Puerto Rican migration into the U.S. that was triggered in substantial numbers when the U.S. Congress on March, 2, 1917 enacted the so-called Jones-Shafroth Act. 

According to history, and yet unknown to half of American citizens, these Latinos from “La Isla Encanto” became the exclusive group that was able to travel to the U.S. without the need of a Visa. 

As a result of this, over 5.1 million live in the United States which is substantially larger than the 3.5 that are left on the island. 

Almost 100 years after this political decision by the United States Congress, the migration of the Puerto Rican people continues unabated. The reasons today are no different from reasons of yesterday. 

Almost 100 years after this political decision by the United States Congress, the migration of the Puerto Rican people continues unabated. The reasons today are no different from the reasons of yesterday. They are no different from the Italian, Russian, Jewish, and Irish. All of them came here in search of economic opportunity and improvement of the future of their families.

We are approaching the matter from our profession, which is journalism.

We are not approaching this from the advocacy side, because we are not civil advocates; we are not approaching this from the political side, because we are not politicians.

We are simply journalists who report on facts. Those facts point to the heart of the matter:  A large number of Puerto Rican professionals are coming to the U.S. now, ejected from their island due to massive unemployment caused by insurmountable debt payments by the Government of Puerto Rico.

We are glad to hear that coincidentally, “The New American Economy Project” was launched recently, with the support of The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, and its leader Peter Gonzalez.

Its objective: a fair immigration reform that is now an inevitable requirement for the nation’s continued progress. 

As Bob Dylan used to say, “Times Are A-Changin.” It is for politicians running for office to understand that well and not to miss the boat:

Latinos in general, and Puerto Ricans in particular —all of them qualified voters— are naturally energized voters who, if enlisted, can make the whole difference to make leaders running for office win or lose these crucial elections.

Want to win the electoral votes from FL, or those from PA, two key battleground States, Hillary Clinton?

Want to win the electoral votes from FL, or those from PA, two key battleground States, Hillary Clinton?

No so much NY, where victory is already guaranteed it, it is in cities like Philadelphia (PA), or Orlando (FL) —number 2 and number 3 largest settlements of Puerto Ricans in the U.S., respectively— where you can win precious votes to put you over the top in the electoral college.

Provided, of course, you care about the issue and finally start verbalizing it.