Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign Unveils Bold Plan on Puerto Rico that Addresses Decades of Disregard of the Archipelago
Hispanic Federation advocated for campaigns to be proactive in addressing the struggles in Puerto Rico, and this proposed plan signals that campaigns are listening
New York, NY – Today, the Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign released a comprehensive plan on Puerto Rico that seeks to address historic disregard and systemic discrimination of the archipelago. Hispanic Federation, and the office in Puerto Rico, has worked extensively to address this mistreatment, most notably in the organization’s work post-Hurricane María, making sure that people could access federal recovery programs. While there has been significant progress recently, this announcement shows a commitment to take that progress a step further and the critical role that Puerto Rico will play in campaigns. Below is a statement from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation:
“For decades, laws and policies focused on Puerto Rico have treated the archipelago and its people like second-class citizens. This discriminatory treatment has led to an exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, caused a deterioration of critical services such as schools, hospitals, and the electrical grid, and hindered economic development. In recent years, we have seen progress to address these challenges thanks to the persistent advocacy of the Puerto Rican community and our allies, as well as the commitment of the Biden Administration. Today’s announcement represents a promise by the Harris campaign to listen to the people and continue that progress. The Harris campaign’s plan on Puerto Rico also serves as a reminder that other campaigns must be proactive in presenting how they will work to address the disparities in Puerto Rico. We must make sure we do not make the mistakes of the past and allow the archipelago to be neglected again.
As a Puerto Rican who grew up in the archipelago and who has family still living in Puerto Rico, I know personally how difficult it is to see my home neglected and how appreciative I am when campaigns provide meaningful solutions. I live in New York, but when I vote I keep Puerto Rico in my heart and I know the same is true for millions of Puerto Ricans across the country, including those of us who live in swing states. As voters in the US, we share the responsibility of making sure that all campaigns prioritize Puerto Rico in their policies, whether it be a Congressional or Presidential campaigns, and the Harris campaign’s plan bodes well for encouraging other campaigns to be proactive in presenting their plans for Puerto Rico before taking office.”
Background:
In 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, displacing thousands, causing a year-long blackout, and resulting in more than 3,000 lives lost. Hurricane Maria left behind about $90 billion worth of damage. As Puerto Ricans waited for the government to respond, Hispanic Federation (HF) stepped in as a major funder and driver of Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts. Since 2017, Hispanic Federation’s work in Puerto Rico has grown. So far, HF has invested a historic $55 million in private funding, $12 million in federal funding, and partnered with hundreds of local, grassroots organizations to not only address the immediate aftermath of natural disasters but advance long-term resiliency efforts, including revitalizing the coffee sector, increasing the archipelago’s reliance on renewable energy, and more to build a stronger and more resilient Puerto Rico.
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Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 dedicated to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income and immigrant Latinos. HF’s programs span across 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, covering areas such as immigration, civic engagement, health, education, and more.
