Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora

 

Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR) is a national advocacy organization of Puerto Ricans in the United States working toward a free, just, and prosperous future for Puerto Rico.

Our Mission

BUDPR is the only national organization that is focused on decolonization as our main priority, and that explicitly advocates for Puerto Rican independence. We seek to use our power in U.S. politics and society to support and ultimately free Puerto Rico.

Our Work

BUDPR works to educate Puerto Ricans in the diaspora and all Americans about Puerto Rico's immoral and undemocratic colonial status. We make the case for the rightness and the urgency of Puerto Rican independence, and we advocate to U.S. political leaders who have the responsibility to advance a just and inclusive decolonization process for Puerto Rico.

We also organize and mobilize the 6-million strong Puerto Rican diaspora, and our willing allies, to become politically engaged in the fight for Puerto Rico's decolonization and sovereignty.

While our primary focus is Puerto Rico's political status, we also collaborate with partners on educational and political initiatives to advance progress on other critical issues facing Puerto Rico, including:

• Energy Independence
• Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience
• Puerto Rico's Debt and Economic Sustainability
• Opposing Gentrification and Displacement

Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora, through our 501c4 arm BUDPR Action, is the only national political advocacy organization in the United States fighting for Puerto Rico's decolonization and independence. We pursue that mission in three ways:

Education

We work to educate and inform the Puerto Rican diaspora, our allies, policymakers, and the public about how Puerto Rico's colonial status is hurting our people—and about political sovereignty as the just and achievable alternative to decolonize Puerto Rico.

• We host in-person and virtual events with Puerto Rican political leaders, U.S. policymakers, and subject matter experts on issues affecting Puerto Rico.
  Check out our upcoming and past events here.
• BUDPR leaders and allies publish articles, produce scholarship, and host podcasts about Puerto Rico's status and the impact of colonialism.
  Explore the writing, videos, and more in which we answer the question: "Why Independence?"
• Our social media content reaches 30,000+ followers across multiple platforms, providing timely news and information about critical issues facing Puerto Rico because of our colonial status.
  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and TikTok

Political Action

We engage directly with federal lawmakers to advocate for just outcomes on issues affecting Puerto Ricans; to denounce the island's colonial status; and to push for a fair, inclusive, and effective decolonization process. As an explicitly pro-independence organization, we bring a unique perspective to conversations about Puerto Rico's status in Congress and ensure that U.S. political leaders are hearing a wide range of voices on the issue of Puerto Rico's political future.

Our organization also denounces colonialism at the United Nations and joins campaigns and coalitions to push for action on issues like energy resilience, displacement, and Puerto Rico's debt.

Some of our recent efforts include:

• BUDPR joined other Puerto Rican leaders to demand that the Harris-Walz campaign commit to a serious decolonization process for Puerto Rico and dismantle the colonial Fiscal Oversight Board. Learn More
• We delivered testimony at the 2024 session of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization, where we denounced colonialism and demanded action from the international community. Learn More
• Congressman Ro Khanna delivered a floor speech on Puerto Rico's decolonization as a direct result of our discussions with him about this critical issue. Learn More

Organizing and Mobilization

The Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States is a political sleeping giant: 6 million boricuas with power as voters and constituents. We work to awaken and empower the diaspora, along with non-Puerto Rican allies, to advocate for Puerto Rico's decolonization and independence.

Want to join the fight for sovereignty? Sign up below to connect with us and receive updates about upcoming events and opportunities. If you want to chat about volunteering your time with us or discuss a potential partnership, please contact us here or email patria@budpr.org.