Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights publishes memo on access to federal programs and role of race

The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights has published its fourth and final memorandum examining the effects of the Insular Cases and the Non-Incorporation Doctrine on the civil rights of residents of Puerto Rico.

The memorandum, released on January 20, 2026, focuses on two central issues: disparities in the allocation of federal benefits and the role race and ethnicity have played over time in shaping the relationship between Puerto Rico and the federal government.

As part of its review, the committee analyzed testimony from subject-matter experts on federal programs including Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, veterans’ benefits, and nutrition assistance. According to the memorandum, panelists detailed how the structure, appropriations, and service delivery of these programs differ between Puerto Rico and the states.

Based on that testimony, the committee concluded that inequities in program design and funding create urgent consequences for vulnerable residents on the islands.

The memorandum also examines racial and ethnic classification in Puerto Rico, finding that racial formation on the islands has been historically complex and often inaccurately reflected in federal data collection. The committee noted that Puerto Rico has been excluded from certain key statistical population surveys and that federal survey tools do not fully capture the islands’ cultural understandings of race, ethnicity, and identity.

Committee Chair Andrés Córdova Phelps said the panel sought to elevate expert testimony on issues that directly affect Puerto Ricans.

“We thank the panelists for shedding light on these topics which directly impact the lives of every Puerto Rican. We aim to use our platform to highlight the information they shared as a way to encourage equal treatment and inclusivity of the residents of Puerto Rico,” Córdova Phelps said.

The memorandum concludes the Committee’s multi-part study into how the Insular Cases and the doctrine of non-incorporation continue to shape federal policy and civil rights outcomes in Puerto Rico.