Judge: 'Discriminatory' to deny Puerto Rico access to US aid

[Judi Lynn]

DÁnica Coto, Associated Press


Updated 9:31 pm CDT, Monday, August 3, 2020

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. territory access to three federal welfare programs in a major decision cheered by many.

However, the judge also granted a two-month administrative stay of the injunction at the federal government’s request, which means the decision for now will apply only to the nine plaintiffs in the case.

Legal experts warned that they expect the U.S. government to appeal the ruling, and if unsuccessful, to take it as far as the U.S. Supreme Court given the millions of dollars at stake.

“It’s a precedent, it’s a significant change, without a doubt. Whether it will be historic depends on its prevalence,” Edgardo Román, president of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, told The Associated Press.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/article/Judge-Discriminatory-to-deny-Puerto-Rico-15455935.php

Also posted in LBN:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142553111

[onetexan]

1. PR needs statehood.