
Courtesy of Julieta Hernandez-Ortiz
Puerto Rico’s complex political status, rooted in its history as a U.S. territory since 1898, shapes much of the identity struggle that Puerto Ricans face today.
Puerto Ricans hold U.S. citizenship, yet when they move to the mainland, many struggle with a complex identity that places them somewhere between belonging and exclusion. The experiences of two students and an adult who moved to Florida years ago are no different.
Julieta Hernandez-Ortiz, a Florida Atlantic University student, moved to the U.S. when she was 10 years old. Juan Fajardo arrived at the age of thirteen, and Cristalís Capielo Rosario made the move when she was 15 years old. Even though they all come from different backgrounds, they still share something: a tension of feeling ‘in between.’
Each of them carries unique experiences that shape their perception of identity and belonging. They are not immigrants in the traditional sense, but their cultural and linguistic uniqueness often sets them apart from the mainland , creating that sensation of being in a limbo’
Hernandez-Ortiz described how she often feels like she is floating between two worlds.
“In Puerto Rico, my friends would say I was too American, but here in the U.S., I’m seen as too Puerto Rican,” she said. “It makes you question where you actually belong.”
The experience of moving to the U.S., particularly to Florida, brings forth a series of challenges that shape their sense of self, their cultural expression, and their everyday lives.
For instance, for many, the move is filled with contradictions.
Fajardo remembers his first years filled with a lot of difficulties that often made him miss his life on the island.
“It was very, very hard, like super hard, not only because I didn’t speak the language back then, I also didn’t know anybody besides my parents, and like I said previously, I was going to start my freshman year of high school, and not knowing the language, not knowing anybody, it was very stressful and hard for me, especially because I get socially awkward when I’m talking to like a lot of people” he said.
Nine years later, Fajardo speaks fluent English and feels much better. He said he was able to adapt, but the memories of people making fun of his accent are still in his head.
“It’s still a little bit hard for me because when I was in high school, like especially my first year, a lot of kids would make fun of me because, again, I didn’t speak the language, and so sometimes when I’m talking to people, I get like a little bit like anxious about it because I start thinking, what if I make a mistake or mess up and then others are gonna make fun of me or stuff like that,” he said.
Historical context
Puerto Rico’s complex political status, rooted in its history as a U.S. territory since 1898, shapes much of the identity struggle that Puerto Ricans face today.
As Professor Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University, explains, “Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but the island’s legal status as an unincorporated territory means they live in a state of ambiguity—belonging to but not fully part of the United States.”
This legal limbo affects Puerto Ricans’ identity and sense of belonging. Many feel disconnected from both the island and the mainland, caught in a cultural and political in-between space that defines their experiences, Duany explains.
The struggle with language adds another layer to this experience. Despite being U.S. citizens, many Puerto Ricans arrive with limited English skills, which can make the adjustment process overwhelming.
Fajardo shared that the language barrier is one of the biggest reasons why his mother still considers going back to the island.
“She moved here with me back in 2016, and she hasn’t been able to learn English. It’s not because she doesn’t want to, because I feel like, you know, as an older adult, it’s a little bit harder for them to learn something new,” he said. “And she tells me all the time if she could move back to Puerto Rico tomorrow, she would definitely do it, because even though she has friends from church or stuff like that, you know, it’s just, it’s not the same for her.”
Language barriers go beyond mere communication; they go into deeper cultural aspects of life. Spanish is more than a language for Puerto Ricans—it’s a connection to their heritage, humor, and way of expressing emotion. However, in the U.S., maintaining that connection can be difficult.
Besides language, other cultural differences are often striking. In Puerto Rico, social life is deeply rooted in community ties, as both Hernandez-Ortiz and Fajardo expressed.
Neighbors visit each other without notice, conversations flow naturally, and people feel a strong sense of belonging.
Juan reminisced about his childhood when spontaneous gatherings happened almost every week.
“Every week a random neighbor, probably somebody that you don’t even know will knock on your door and be like, ‘Hey, ¿quieres café? ¿Quieres comer pan? ¿Salir o algo así?’ And I feel like here in Florida, you definitely don’t see that. I feel like everybody just lives their own life, you know, they don’t talk to anybody, they don’t talk to any neighbors, it’s just like work, go home, sleep, then repeat the same thing over again the next day,” he explained.
Workplace challenges and discrimination
The isolation that many Puerto Ricans feel upon moving to the mainland can be stark and unsettling according to the research of Cristalís Capielo Rosario, a scholar at Arizona State University and a board member at Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora. The U.S.’s fast-paced, individualistic culture contrasts sharply with what Fajardo describes as Puerto Rican society’s warmth and openness.
This sense of disconnect often extends into the workplace, where Puerto Ricans face unique challenges despite their citizenship status. Preconceived notions about their abilities, accents, and backgrounds can make it difficult to advance professionally, says Capielo Rosario, who has studied these patterns extensively.
“Puerto Ricans come with qualifications and experience, but they are often placed in lower-level positions that don’t match their skills,” she explained. “There’s a perception that their education isn’t as valuable, and language barriers only make things worse.”
Fajardo’s father experienced this firsthand. Despite years of experience in Puerto Rico, he struggled to find a job that recognized his skills. “He had to start over from scratch,” Juan said. “It was frustrating to see how hard he worked only to be overlooked because of his accent.”
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Puerto Rico’s economic struggles, combined with the effects of natural disasters and migration patterns, have exacerbated employment difficulties for Puerto Ricans on the mainland.
Cultural pride
Despite these challenges, many Puerto Ricans hold onto their cultural pride with strong determination.
“I’m Puerto Rican first and American second,” Fajardo stated firmly. “Our culture, our food, our music, that’s what makes us who we are.” Yet, the political limbo of Puerto Rico adds another layer of complexity to their identity.
With debates around statehood and independence continuing, many Puerto Ricans wonder what the future holds for their homeland.
Hernandez-Ortiz expressed mixed feelings. “If we became a state, would we lose what makes us unique? But staying as we are feels like being stuck in the middle, without a clear path forward,” she said.
Professor Duany added “The question of Puerto Rico’s future—whether statehood, independence, or continued territorial status—remains a deeply divisive issue among Puerto Ricans. Many fear losing cultural identity if statehood is granted, while others see it as the only path to full citizenship rights.”

From bar to barre: Where we’re going this Dry January
Written by Sarah ConliskFor many, it's hard to imagine surviving the holidays—interacting with family, mingling at the office party, passing the...

Need a laugh? Follow these 6 hilarious Puerto Rican influencers.
If there's been too much doom and gloom in your social feeds, make sure to follow these Puerto Rican comedy influencers. You'll thank us later....

5 places in Florida to donate clothes, shoes, and more
Decluttering your home can provide such a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. After sorting through all of your belongings and determining what...

8 Orlando hotels that pack as much fun as the theme parks
With waterslides, family arcades, playgrounds for the kids, and spas for mom and dad, these Orlando hotels will make your vacation unforgettable!...