The relationship between the United States and its territories is a complex one. The United States has a total of five permanently inhabited territories. These territories are American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. Each has its own unique history and political fight. Their status as territories limits their ability to vote for the US president. Even though this is the case, the territories have delegates for the House of Representatives, known as a Resident Commissioner in Puerto Rico. Each territory also has elected governors who oversee the territory.
In recent years, efforts have been made to lessen the burden on the territories, mainly in relation to funding. An example of this is the Biden-Harris Administration working to reduce the economic load in four of the territories on February 8, 2023. Another recent show of work is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. The act includes providing climate and infrastructure resources to the US territories, involving ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. Even though there is some relief given to a lot of territories, each has its own unique connection to the US.
Some territories have chosen not to fight for statehood or full independence. American Samoa is a prime example of this. The islands have been allowed to keep control of their internal affairs. Their traditions remain strong, and their cultures are lively, but the US provides economic relief. American Samoa mostly relies on federal funding, tuna canning, and local industries to support itself. Another factor to consider is that the people of these islands are not US citizens.
On the contrary, the residents of the US Virgin Islands are American citizens, but they are not in a rush for independence. In 1993, there was a vote on its status, and most citizens were against independence, the number in favor being less than 5%. Since then, there has not been another vote. There are a few reasons for this, one of the biggest being the economic state. Being a US territory allows popular tourism from US citizens without a passport. Not only this, but major investments in the logistics of tourism, such as hotels, come from American sources. The islands also take comfort in knowing they are protected by the US.
The US Virgin Islands are not the only territory with US citizenship that is not currently fighting for independence. In the 1970s, the Northern Mariana Islands chose not to seek separation from the US. Rather, the islands took the path of forging closer links to the US.
In contrast to this, Puerto Rico has been actively fighting the battle for statehood. Puerto Ricans are US citizens by birth; however, they cannot vote in presidential elections. During a 2024 vote on the islands, 57 percent of residents voted in favor of statehood. According to Jorge Duany, former Florida International University professor and author of “Puerto Rico: What Everyone Needs to Know,” the vote was more about meaning than anything else.
Duany explained how only Congress can initiate a process of status change for Puerto Rico since 1898, because Puerto Rico became part of the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War. Congress has never taken action with regard to the status of Puerto Rico.
“I support a path forward for Puerto Rico as laid out in the Puerto Rico Status Act,” stated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar. “Puerto Ricans should be able to chart their own path to statehood.”
The vote was meant to be more than literal. It was a call for change, as the islands were ready for new chances. As of now, Puerto Rico cannot address its own status issues. This is because issues relating to the territories’ governance must go through Congress before any action.
Similar to this, Guam is working toward decolonization. The Commission on Decolonization was created in 1997, and it works to educate people on the political options in Guam. Choosing between statehood, independence, and free association is something they believe Guam’s citizens should be ready for in “preparation for an eventual political status plebiscite vote.” As US citizens, there is a wish to choose their status. With this, they also work to resolve Guam’s unincorporated territory status.
Each territory has its own relationship with the US, and not every single one has the same goals. The islands have their own respective journeys for independence, statehood, growth, and more. Providing a brief insight into these territories shows their unique challenges.
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