Puerto Rico has been a U.S. colony for 125 years. Recent legislative efforts in Congress —including the 2022 Puerto Rico Status Act—have failed to gain traction or make progress toward ending that colonial status. This is because some efforts have ignored legal, political, economic, social, and cultural realities inherent to this contentious and divisive issue. In order to promote a just, inclusive, and democratic decolonization process for Puerto Rico, Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora has drafted a framework for future U.S. legislation to end Puerto Rico’s status. The framework includes 10 critical elements based on three principles: The colonial status quo is not an option and it must end. Inaction by Congress on statehood cannot continue to result in the perpetuation of colonialism and must lead to independence. Puerto Rico status legislation is only useful if it is politically viable. “Message bills” that are destined to be rejected by Congress do not represent real progress. Any process must take into account political realities in the United States. Puerto Ricans must have a leading role in the process and our key concerns must be addressed. Vital questions related to citizenship, language, economic transition, etc. must be discussed and decided—together—by Puerto Rico and the United States. Continue reading