Rhode Island is the smallest state by area, with a population of just over one million people. With 4.2% of the population identifying as Puerto Rican — 45,579 people — tiny Rhode Island is #6 among the states for its percentage of Puerto Ricans. Former Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea was the first Latina in New England to hold a statewide office. Both Senators, Sheldon Whitehouse (D) and Jack Reed (D), and one of the two Members of the House, Seth Magaziner (D), are cosponsors of the Puerto Rico Status Act.
The history of Puerto Ricans in Rhode Island
Like the other Northeastern strongholds of Puerto Rican populations, Rhode Island welcomed seasonal agricultural workers from Puerto Rico in the middle of the 20th century. Some came to Rhode Island as part of the official worker exchange programs, but many relocated from New York in search of more peaceful and family-friendly communities.
This choice wasn’t always easy. “Puerto Ricans who migrated to Providence before the 1980s did not find many other Puerto Ricans here,” says Nuestras Raices| Rhode Island. “Adjusting to this change was often difficult for people who had either just come from Puerto Rico, or more likely from New York, because most had previously been surrounded by large numbers of other Puerto Ricans, with whom they shared language, culture, food and music. Many took for granted the fact that their culture was the norm. Moving to Providence was a rude awakening for many Puerto Ricans who also experienced some culture shock.”
In the 1980s, Puerto Rican migration to Rhode Island increased. Cultural and political organizations flourished and a street in Providence changed its name to “Borinquen Street.”
“Every time I go by and I see Borinquen Street, I smile because I know that there is power,” community organizer José González said. “And politicians used to tell us, ‘If you guys are a strong voting block, then there’s nothing you cannot do.’”
The growth of political power
Puerto Ricans developed strong organizations at the end of the 20th century, and by 2023 half a dozen of the city council members of Providence were Hispanic, along with 13 members of the state legislature. According to Pew Research, Hispanic incomers were responsible for all of the population growth in this city at the beginning of the 21st century. Puerto Ricans are the largest group in Rhode Island’s Hispanic community.
Today, Puerto Ricans and the civic groups that they have created are an integral part of the Rhode Island story. Their presence has enriched the state’s cultural landscape, adding a distinct flavor to its music, cuisine, and traditions. They are business owners, educators, artists, and community leaders, shaping the future of Rhode Island.
However, challenges remain. Issues of educational equity, economic disparities, and ensuring full participation in the political process continue to be concerns. Organizations like the Rhode Island Extended Delegation for Statehood for Puerto Rico (which set a speaker to the 2022 U.N. meeting on decolonization), the Puerto Rican Professional Association of Rhode Island, the Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy, the Puerto Rican Cultural Festival & Parade of RI, and RI Puerto Ricans: Empowered & United all work to support various facets of the Puerto Rican community in the state.
