Watch my series on Puerto Rico’s status here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLpsevwfWsEBkAdwnBLFkqHqIf68oYEu3Q

Bianca, you deserve kudos for masterfully navigating this inherently difficult topic with knowledge, grace and aplomb. 👏🏼

Ms. Graulau, I haven’t gone through all of your videos yet, but your work is amazing and appreciated. If you haven’t already done so, it would be amazing for you to visit Hawaii and interview many of the indigenous people of the Island. I feel it would open the eyes of many Puerto Ricans who support both colonization and statehood.

Way to Go Bianca! Keep educating the Puerto Rican Public and all!!!! This is awesome! Keep doing what your doing!!!

Love love love this reporting, and the professional manner with which this interview was done.

Bianca Excellently! Done. For too long PR has been as you said, second class citizens. Yet the people of PR pay there high taxes & can’t even vote. Also you have those that come to the island & get to pay no taxes. An island that is so rich & able to do for itself in all areas. I for one was born in NY but, lived & study in PR as well. I also have family living in PR. Makes me think will PR be better off on independents instead of State hood? PR could do so much on selling food products alone. Fruits, Vegetables ETC.. For too long PR has been taken advantage of & the natives of the island suffer. It’s such a beautiful island & can do so much better. Thank You 🙏🏼 for your continuous fight for PR. GOD Bless 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

A constitutional assembly is necessary because the system is so corrupted in ALL areas that they will find a way to manipulate the process. Q: Will PR be able to do free trade with other countries and use the ports freely or at a lower cost if the “free association” is chosen?

Thank you Bianca for this interview. 😊😊😊

Thanks to your contribution of making politics about PR understandable to the average American. Your service is highly appreciated! 😊

And pay for all the people that have been dying from cancer because of the bombs in the ocean under the island and they have been using our Island as a military base all of the Puerto Ricans that died in Vietnam for nothing

Excellent narrative and commentary. These women are very well versed in The status of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.

Well, let's see if the bill it's passed is the crucial point. In a polarized Congress, it may be difficult. I think independence would be supported by major parties for various reasons.

For those who are afraid of worsening conditions in PR if the island becomes an independent, sovereign nation, just try to have a "look from the outside" approach. Frankly things can't be worse than it is now, as a US Territory. We are still bankrupt, financially and as a society. We are getting closer and closer every day to what we define as a failed state. Young people have no opportunities. Everywhere you go, everything looks run-down, businesses closed, infrastructure crumbling. There is no optimism for the future. Prices are sky high, mainly due to the Jones Act. Many politicians elected are a bunch of useless puppets to corruption, and they reflect the character of the people that elect them (it happens here in the US too). But worst of all is seeing we have no valid representation in Congress to watch for our interests. Puerto RIco is exactly as the US government wants it to be; poor, fully-dependent and with an ambiguous political status. There is but two or three districts (AOC's being one of them) in the entire US, where their constituents seem to support that their representative in Congress spend time and effort to vouch for Puerto Rico's interests, in terms of equal treatment. The rest are naturally "out of sight-out of mind", or would never OK that their Congresspeople spend their constituents' time fighting for Puerto Rico's due. I probably wouldn't allow it either if I was a resident of those states! We are the property of a country that has never considered Puerto Rico worthy of becoming part of them. Remember, we are not PART of the US, we are a PROPERTY. I don't even consider the term 'colony' appropriate or applicable anymore. We used to be a colony back when there was "Latifundio Monocultivo y Ausentismo". But colonialism has morphed into someting more obscure, much worse. Empires appreciated and supported and invested in their colonies. There was a mutual gain, and many times, pathway for sovereignty. For Puerto Rico now is nothing but loss. There is no benefit in being a territory, when there is so much more loss than gain. Things could be much better if we were not a territory. It is, and has been US policy, to maintain PR as a territory for many reasons; military/geo-strategic, risky medical and agricultural testing grounds that could never be done in the mainland, and many more reasons. But the biggest one is that Puerto Rico is a hot potato issue for Congress People. Almost no one in Congress wants to confront the reality of Puerto Rico while holding a seat in government. It is too much of a risky and touchy subject, re-election-wise. And the people who are suffering are not worthy of their time, effort or risk.There's this belief, by both sides of government that the balance of government will tip, affecting one party, more than the other. So let's be brave and consider independence for Puerto Rico. We have NOTHING to lose. Not anymore. No more Jones Act. We will be able to make our own decisions, do trade and commerce directly with other countries (which will bring more money than what we "get" from the US), especially those countries that see us a equal, not as inferior. We will create financial hubs, improve our tourism industry, restore our industrial facilities back to the glory days where college graduates had a great job waiting for them. We will mature as a country and end this destructive dependence on US money. A big part of the diaspora, myself included, will have a way to return and enjoy living there. All those things... We've hit rock bottom. It cannot get worse than people not having hope. We are slowly dying. Like a human colony on Mars or outer space. Only a change in status can bring that hope, and a roadmap to reconstruction back. Thank you MS Graulau for this very important video, and the effort you put forth for this forum for us to learn and share our thoughts and opinions. Eagerly waiting on the next!

We need to revive our Arawak way’s of living with honor and respect

This is way past due on an island with a population, larger than many many US states. It’s transparent that they don’t want to make this beautiful island anything more than what it is.

Muy orgullosa de lo lejos que has llegado Bianca! Sigue adelante ❤️

One thing portorricans are united about is not to lose US citizenship ever...

This is the same woman who lied about her grandmother situation in PR and her grandmother called her out on it.

It’s enjoyable seeing these young ladies talking about the Puerto Rico status, something I used to do 60 years ago. I am a USA citizen by birth and still a pro independence. La patria no se traiciona. Those who do betray Boriken, should move and stay in the Continental USA permanently; and please don’t ever come back! You are doing Puerto Rico a tremendous favor by staying away.

Thanks for left the colony option out of the proyect!🙌🏿

Glad to hear this discussion. And I support not having a "Keep the status quo" option in this bill. The "status quo" is exactly what we need to change. Either become a state or gain sovereignty.

Spain 🇪🇸 and the USA 🇺🇸 are on the same team

Excellent reporting on a difficult topic! Thank you Bianca!

And like Hawaii, the none Puertorriqueños votes deciding the status

Bianca sumamente impresionado con tu trabajo 🇵🇷🙏👍 quien dice que nuestra juventud esta perdida? tu representas juventud productiva y profesional en todo lo que e visto en tus videos gracias por tu trabajo y muchas bendiciones! you do a awesome job ! huge fan ! R lamb

Im for self sovereignty... PR needs to be given a fair shot in taking care of PR without just being hit with this seemingly strong wave of pressure for just statehood. .

Politicians are best at politics. This lady's interest is in her political career. Her stand has always been opposing Statehood. What changed?

There's another scheme that the Netherlands used with it's Caribbean Islands: in theory placed them in equal status with mainland Netherlands, each manages it's own government except on defense, nationality and foreign relations. Each island sends a representative to the Netherlands and viceversa, to represent each other's interests, as well as serving as a sort of ambassador to the government but with voting status. Each can trade freely, manage their own taxes, have their own central bank, currency, airlines, etc

Buen trabajo Bianca. Aunque creo que el Congreso no aprobará el proyecto de ley al que hace referencia Alexandria. Además, Alexandria usa el ejemplo de Palau que es incomparable a Puerto Rico, en población, distancia, penetración e inmigración a los EEUU. Segundo, no se discute el sí o el no y la participación del eventual voto de los puertorriqueños residentes en los EEUU. Tercero, Puerto Rico no es una neocolonia, es 100% colonia, por lo que Alexandria se equivoca al no reconocer el Derecho Internacional en cuestión ni ningún periodo viable de descompresión colonial o descolonización ANTES de cualquier voto en materia.

Asking who’s input? our input? I’ve been here for 45 years. Never heard anything about this. I knew something someone was doing but nothing else. This is the first time. And I asked nearly everyone I spoke to today. Nothing

😆 am I about to get deported? Just remember America to send me my pension check. And another thing, stay out of Puerto Rico!

We don’t need a Hawaii 2.0

Great work

Solidarity with Puerto Rico from Finland! :)

All jokes aside. Puerto Rican land should be made affordable to Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico.

US citizenship isn’t something to praise about. All it really means is that we’re subject to paying taxes no matter where you are in the world. It’s the only industrialized nation to tax based on citizenship. The United States isn’t going to improve itself as a country and it would be foolish to vote for statehood due to the fact that it’s a dying empire. With independence, Puerto Ricans have a shot in making something of itself internationally. There are more options for economic development

In the meantime their needs to be a ization law where non Puerto Ricans are allowed to purchase the minimalist amount of land..lest we Puerto Ricans end up fighting for sovereign land like Hawaii or Palestine.

They do this always and after we vote for statehood nothing happens ridiculous..

Very well done.

Puerto Rico needs to stop dealing with Spain.

Free Association is still independence, but on training wheels…

🇺🇲 God bless the United States American soldier's from Puerto Rico, Georgia, Texas, Washington, California, Utah, NYC, Mississippi, NJ & more Private first class American soldiers!!! American civil war, Vietnam war, Spanish American war, French & India war, WWl, WWll, North Korea, Japan) & other Wars from the past!!. Never forgotten!!! 🇺🇲

What's going on with your setup? You usually film behind a "real" background. I'm guessing from your apartment/house. But why did you decide to sit in front of a clearly visible green / blue screen for this video?

Wow, increíble reportaje

When you say Puerto Rico, can you guys press on RRRRR a little bit more? Sometimes I don’t understand if you are talking about Puerto Rico or Liverpool United Kingdom.

Very very informative! Muchas gracias por estas entrevista!!

I do support Puerto Rico Statehood, but I’m not going to support Puerto Rico Statehood if they are going to act like they are owed something. All us Americans are fighting our own battles and struggles to make a living. If Puerto Rico wants independence, then great. It’s not like we need Puerto Rico.

So as a free sovereign associated state I would assume that in times of disaster the US would still fulfill its obligation to financially contribute towards reconstruction aid as has been done so far.. I'm glad you brought up the issue of citizenship because its very important to maintain that as this is what will be considered during difficult times such as in times of natural disaster etc, so this matter of needing to renew it is not the best it should be maintained as permanent if this option is chosen.

Wait a minute. Why be in a rush to join a country that makes a point to lie to people about what they are entitled to. I would be so quick to try and do that . Nobody deserves false hope in the level we get it. I wouldnt wish it on anyone.

puerto rico needs to be free to make its own laws and economyand no live by controling tyrants,

I never get your videos in my feed. Love your work.

As a puertorican I am happy that my Cuban brother's have not sold-out 💲💩🦧🇺🇲🛖🥑☕️🥑like we had Viva la memoria de Albizu Campos

Espero que mas tarde suban los closed captions ya que mi inglés goleta no es muy bueno

I’ve been waiting for this interview 🥰

Is there a site where we may read the proposed Bill?

Soy puertorriqueño la felicito por su trabajo excelente explicado con mucha profecionalidad gracias god bless Luis from n jersey

Puerto Rico is the envy of almost all the islands in the Caribbean...just saying.

Is there a version of this interview with Spanish subtitles? Would like to send it to my parents, but they don’t speak English.

Does anyone know what happened to this bill?

The rich that lives or owns property doesn't what PR to be a state! Why? Because the rich will end up paying their fair share of taxes.

This interview should have been done in Spanish so that the people in Puerto Rico can understand how they are being used and abused.

For sure a colony and the solution is to vote for independence or statehood. The best solution is independence. Congress is unlikely to approve statehood. The benefits of independence we can be open to the world and trade with them. In the meantime, the Puerto Rican government meaning Puerto Ricans has to be held accountable instead of this gringo bull. Yes, there is history in the past and we can go over and over the injustices of the past or present.

Thanks for the story!

We don't have oil or rocks diamonds etc. No Resources whatsoever, so independent is a NO NO boriquas.

End the Jones Act!!!!

Bianca, I love your passion and everything you do.

ok but if puerto rico ends up voting on free association, would the us continue to unfairly tax everything on the island? will the power situation with luma be addressed and fixed?

Puerto Rico should be a Republic. We don’t need anyone’s permission to have our own freedom and Liberty.

If Puerto Rico becomes a state the Puerto Rico citizens will have to pay property taxes!! Most Puerto Rico citizens will not be able to afford this and lose their homes!!

Puerto Rico needs to become it own country.

The last point of this presentation is the one that should be paramount: carry out an independent audit of Puerto Rico's public debt. That means going back decades, but it's not a draconian task when the very quality of life of the people is at stake. In light that the junta solely exists to defend the interests of the "debt" collectors, a thorough audit would help us put the junta on the next flight out of Puerto Rico. The people must not continue to be burdened by a nebulous debt created by the two political parties that have run roughshod over Puerto Rico for over 50 years. The youth of Puerto Rico should not have to begin a life of unjust and illegal debt. The USA called itself victorious after the Cuban-Spanish war of independence, and among the first acts that it carried out was to label Cuba's public debt as odious and cancelled it.

AoC, Puerto Rico has very little production. How are we going to maintain the same quality of life without any federal aid (billions annually). Sounds to me like two of those options, leave people hungry and without a means to maintain public infrastructure like public housing, bridges, roads. What happens when the next hurricane destroys the island and we have no FEMA? This "colony" is not being extracted for resources. We receive more than we produce. US federal aid maintains the people fed, healthy and housed. Bianca, please investigate what would be the effects of these three options in terms of aid and federal support. Thank you all. Also, as a state we would pay both state and federal tax. Currently we pay taxes only to the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Would state taxes combined with federal taxes be more or less than the 31% tax we currently contribute? If it's more than this would lead to more unemployment as businesses downsize to counter rising costs. Loosing our citizenship would be tragic. Our children would not be able to work or seek education in the US mainland without a travel VISA. We would be competing with the rest of the world for access to American colleges. Only having access to the University of Puerto Rico which is currently underfunded as is. Imagine it without any federal aid. Also imagine all the high school graduates competing for the limited seats on UPR campus. It would drive the grade requirements and prices up, making it so only the elite can afford or qualify for higher education. Do not take our American citizenship, or our federal aid. Thank you Bianca and AoC for this discussion.

every time they vote they no one party has enough vote to change maybe they should be given two statehood or freedom. i think they should be given freedom.

No questions about statehood option itself? Why not?!

Highness Bianca - I am Organic to this land mass and my son is Taino. We are actually working on making sure we as indigenous organic people do not sign with the bankrupt US corporate charter and hope that you all do not sign for at will enslavement with the bankrupt US Corporation .. they have no jurisdiction here and you would need to sign with them in order to be colonized. They have NOT honored the treaties here and they do not have any 'privileges' for you... what privileges do you see with any colonized land. This is a time where the bankrupt corporation is BEGGING - you all need to work with us who are Organic to North and South America (names we will be changing in the future) to unify as indigenous people in Canada, NA, PR, Mexico, and South America

Thsnk you Bianca and AOC for your Courage against big bully etcs

Blessings SiStar 💫Eye truly appreciate you , you are truly one of a kind! #Real1sGetShitDone!!

US should cut loose Puerto Rico, like the US did with Liberia

I have a question since the signing of citizenship and all the legal boundaries and what could be done and whatnot could be done it is on paper right do we as Puerto Rican people that were born here and also that was born here but didn't grow up here we have the right to those papers and where can we find them from the president that signed citizenship for the Puerto Rican people.

Bravo this is one of the best docs I've seen aside from otgers

Thank you for working so diligently in your work as a journalist.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

So. If Palau’s first compact was 50 yrs and it started in 1994, that means they are still under the 50 yr mark for full U.S. citizenship. . The way Mrs Cortez explained it sounds like it already passed. 11:00.

It is a colonial arrangement but what the US did give our parents was citizenship for them and their children . My family did very well to me bake to come here . But it breaks my heart to see the island not come back to its glory with many Puerto Rican owned homes and business. I love this girl and I love AOL she is powerful behind measure .

Esta es una entrevista iconicamente importante. Pero para los medios boricuas, el caso de Pina, es mas importante. 😫

El estatus de Palau "Free Associated State" es lo mas cerca a lo que la mentira de ELA quiere fingir de ser. "Commonwealth" no tiene definición formal ninguna excepto una agrupación de algo. Es una colonia. Neo-Colonia no la es. Es colonia y ya. Estadidas es la unica opción que nos daría justa representación con voz y voto, con 5-6 Representantes y 2 Senadores en el Congreso federal. Eso es mas poder en el Congreso que 16 estados. Finalmente tendríamos justa representación y contro sobre nuestro drestino.

Thank you so much

Everyone wants a piece of Puerto Rico

Great interview! Keep it up and thank you for your interest on topics that matters to all of us!! Good vibes for life!!!

So pretty much the options are Independence now or Independence in 25 years or whatever where citizenship stops being granted to newborns (some perks like Palau has, but nothing major). Or statehood. If this comes to a vote then the clear option for PR is statehood. Not sure what's in it for us, but anyone living in PR voting for independence is pining to become like Haiti.

Hi Bianca, do you have any updates on this topic?

I wonder what happened on minute 09:01, something got cut off 🤔

All Puerto Ricans should be Able to vote, regardless of where they live at

Pls lmk when you upload the Hawaii Vid. Amazing work! Aloha!

No one is ever second to anyone don't ever let someone leave you thinking that . The only way to change it is to remove the corporate people

I can be in favor of de colonizing Puerto Rico.... but the government has to be careful and make extra sure that they inform the puerto rican people in detail of what each of these terns and conditions and options mean so that we can make an informed and intelligent decision. However personally would be in favor of Option 2 -- where PR although still directly connected to the US, can still have total autonomy of themselves, i forgot the term she called it. I know that these will come with their cons but i want for puerto rico more than anything to have more control over themselves and their own economy and use the natural resources they have within the island already for the benefit of their own people instead of being so insanely co dependent and exploited by the US even if the US gives "benefits" ...

Mega entrevista !!!! Buen trabajo Bianca♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Statehood is very important for Puerto Rico. I was born in Rio Piedras but was raised in NYC. I Cherish my American citizenship and the right to vote. Future generations of PR should be able to enjoy the right to true citizenship. What exactly does independence mean anyway. Independent to do what and who rules? A lot of the Islands politicians are corrupt so what would happen to ordinary PR citizens without the Federal help that we have now? Not wise at all

Is there a treaty of annexation for hawaii we can’t find one?

Tengan cuidado. Como dicen los gringos " the grass isn't always greener, on the other side. "