In a disturbing incident at New Orleans International Airport on May 9th, Humberto Marchand, a Puerto Rican man, was denied access to his prepaid rental car by Hertz due to his Puerto Rico driver's license. The 55-year-old had just flown in from Puerto Rico to help his son move out at the end of the university semester. Despite presenting a valid US driver's license from Puerto Rico, Hertz claimed that he was not a US citizen due to his Puerto Rican identification. Frustrated and caught off guard, Marchand decided to record the encounter on his cell phone, which ultimately led to a police officer kicking him out of the car rental company.

Marchand's experience is not an isolated incident, as several Puerto Ricans have reported being denied services in the US despite having valid US driver's licenses from Puerto Rico. These incidents have sparked outrage and prompted Puerto Rico to take action. This month, Puerto Rico announced that it would add “USA” to the top of its driver's licenses in an effort to minimize confusion and emphasize its status as a US territory.

Transportation Secretary Eileen Velez-Vega expressed her hope that this initiative would prevent the serious setbacks that Puerto Rican residents have faced when trying to access certain services. She acknowledged the existing ignorance and lack of knowledge about Puerto Rico's status as a US territory, stating that education efforts were necessary to address the problem.

Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898, and everyone born in Puerto Rico is an American citizen with a US passport. However, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in US presidential elections, nor can they elect lawmakers with voting rights in Congress. Recent polling suggests that nearly half of Americans are not aware that Puerto Ricans are US citizens.

Throughout this year, several high-profile cases have highlighted the discrimination faced by Puerto Ricans. In one incident, a family was denied boarding on a domestic flight because the parents didn't have a US passport for their toddler, despite not needing one since the child was a citizen. In another case, a military veteran was told he could not purchase alcohol with his Puerto Rico-issued driver's license at a grocery store in Georgia.

After an outcry on social media regarding Marchand's encounter with Hertz, the company eventually apologized and offered to cover his expenses. However, the incident has shed light on the broader discrimination faced by many Puerto Ricans for years. Marchand, a retired federal law enforcement official, believes that this incident reflects a larger issue of ignorance and prejudice.

Velez-Vega expressed her shock and disappointment upon seeing the video recorded by Marchand, stating that it revealed a significant lack of education and knowledge. She stressed the need for further education and orientation to ensure that Puerto Rican identifications are recognized and accepted.

While the addition of “USA” on Puerto Rican driver's licenses is seen as a step in the right direction by some, others doubt that it will entirely solve the issue of discrimination. Puerto Rican advocacy organizations caution against viewing this change as a complete solution, as the underlying problem of second-class citizenship still persists. Puerto Ricans living on the island cannot vote in general elections and are not entitled to some federal benefits.

The discussions surrounding the new driver's licenses have also brought attention to the broader issue of ignorance and misunderstanding about Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States. Professor Vanessa D?­az, who researches Puerto Rican culture and politics, emphasizes that Latinos, regardless of their citizenship, are often treated as foreigners. The incidents faced by Puerto Ricans serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Latinos in the US.

Marchand, who played a significant role in bringing attention to the issue, sees the addition of “USA” on Puerto Rican driver's licenses as a step in the right direction. However, he remains aware that others may continue to doubt the legitimate status of Puerto Ricans as American citizens. He hopes that his experience will contribute to putting an end to such discrimination.