Cheaper to cut them loose.
WE MIGHT be able to do that - based on some conditions and limitations of the status of being a Commonwealth.
First, English becomes a universal FIRST language, and the island of Vieques is COMPLETELY vacated. At one time, during the Second World War, it was a training center and bombing range for the Army Air Corps and the Naval carriers. Today it would be an excellent place to hold prospective immigrants to the US at a point offshore from the continental US, much like Ellis Island was, from 1892 to 1954. Only after throrough vetting at that check station, would any “green card” immigrants from points other than Mexico or Canada be admitted, and those who attempted to enter illegally would be picked up, transported, and held there, indefinitely if necessary, until they choose to proceed to any other point of their selection, providing that the authorities there would accept them. The same for overstays of visas issued for whatever reason, and children born of these illegal entrants and overstays.
Just for having the offshore immigrant detention station, may well be worth the cost of rebuilding Puerto Rico into a livable locality.
“Cheaper to cut them loose.”
Indeed.
But the Republican Congress will be all worried about all those new PR voters lol
A lot more worried about them than the blitzkrieg they will see in 2018 from Conservatives.