Opinion for The Latino Newsletter

Puerto Rico stands at a pivotal crossroads. After more than a century of territorial ambiguity, the island must now complete its journey into full partnership with the United States. But annexation, or statehood, is not just a political act. It is also cultural, economic, and linguistic. If Puerto Rico is to join the Union as the 51st state, it must show it is ready to integrate fully. That starts with adopting English as the primary language of public instruction, not to erase Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage but to secure its future within the American family.

Today, Spanish remains the dominant language in Puerto Rican government, education, and daily life. While English is technically taught in public schools, it is treated more as a subject of study than as a tool of communication. After 12 years of mandatory English classes, most students are still unable to hold even a basic conversation in English in a place where the vast majority of people still speak English “less than very well,” according to the 2023 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.

This failure puts Puerto Rico at a disadvantage, widens the gap between the island and the mainland, and raises real concerns about how successful statehood integration could be.

The realities are undeniable: every American state conducts its official business, courts, and legislative processes in English. Laws are written, debated, and codified in English. Court proceedings, from traffic court to the Supreme Court, are conducted in English. Contracts, government regulations, public notices, and ballots are all in English.

English is the established and expected language of governance across all 50 states.

Puerto Rico cannot be an exception to this standard and still expect to function fully and equally within the federal system.

Critics argue that promoting English in education would mean abandoning Puerto Rican identity. That fear is misplaced. American identity has always been rooted in E Pluribus Unum, the ability to unite people into one nation and common purpose. Mastery of English would open doors in technology, science, finance, and government, creating opportunities that remain out of reach for too many young people on the island.

Transitioning to English as the language of instruction would not be without challenges.

Resistance is inevitable. Yet the path is clear.

Over the next decade, Puerto Rico must transition all public instruction —from elementary school through university— to English.

English must become the primary medium for math, science, civics, and history, laying the foundation for a new generation of legislators who will lead the shift in laws and government services into the language of full federal participation.

There is no shame in this evolution. Around the world, many successful nations have adopted second languages for practical advancement. Even within Puerto Rico, the professional class has long understood the advantages of English and has thrived because of it.

It is time to ensure that those advantages are no longer limited to the few. They must be extended to everyone.

About the Author

Javier Ortiz, with over 30 years of experience in technology, business, and the public sector, leads investment technical due diligence and innovation at Falcon Cyber Investments.

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The Latino Newsletter welcomes opinion pieces in English and/or Spanish from community voices. Submission guidelines are here. The views expressed by outside opinion contributors do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this outlet or its employees.