Episode 48: SCOTUS Just Reinforced Puerto Rico's Separate and Unequal Status

This week, we’re discussing Puerto Rico, specifically the many ways in which U.S. law continues to subject this and the other U.S. territories to second class status. The latest example? The Supreme Court recently ruled, in an unusual 8 to 1 decision, that Puerto Ricans can be denied government benefits, despite being U.S. citizens. Lindsay Langholz speaks with Adriel Cepeda Derieux of the ACLU about this case and how it is just the latest in a long line of oppressive measures taken by the United States against its territories.

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Today's Host: Lindsay Langholz, ACS Director of Policy and Program

Guest: Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU

Link: "Congress Can't Discriminate Against Puerto Rico Residents Just Because They Live There," by Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux

Link: “Nationals” but not “Citizens”: How the U.S. Denies Citizenship to American Samoans, by Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux and Gabriela Meléndez Olivera

Link: SCOTUS decision in United States v. Vaello Madero

Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast

Email the Show: [email protected]

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Am

Visit the Podcast Website: Broken Law Podcast

Email the Show: [email protected]

Follow ACS on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | LinkedIn | YouTube

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Broken Law: About the law, who it serves, and who it doesn’t.
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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of American Constitution Society 2025.