According to CUNY's Center for Latino Studies, there are almost 800,000 Puerto Ricans living in New York City, constituting close to thirty-three percent of the city's Hispanic population in 2008. Of these, some 108,857 live in Queens.

Judy Vega of Astoria, whose parents, sister and cousins live in Puerto Rico, likes the idea that Puerto Rico should become a state of the Union, because she believes the benefits would outweigh the disadvantages.

"The people on the island don't know what to expect, but I have not spoken to anyone who is against it," said Vega. "The younger generation supports statehood. They've come from the island looking for better opportunities. I am sure that they would like to have the same opportunities there."

The national chairman of the Coalición para Puerto Rico Como un Estado (Coalition for Puerto Rican Statehood), Peter Fontanes of Long Island City, attended a demonstration in Washington, D.C., on April 29 in favor of the proposed bill HR 2499.

"It is time for Puerto Rico to choose its own destiny," said Fontanes, referring to the island's "free and associated" status. "For too long it has been a colony of the United States. It is disgraceful that the United States has allowed this to continue so long."

Fontanes is particularly opposed to the idea that Puerto Ricans can be forcibly enlisted in the United States Armed Forces but cannot vote for the Commander in Chief – the President – which he sees as "a politically debilitating experience. It is against the spirit of the Constitution."

Ridgewood resident Michelle Nieves thinks that if Puerto Rico becomes a state, its economy will be stimulated. Nonetheless, she does not believe this will happen.

"I think if it hasn't happened by now, it is never going to happen," said Nieves.

Daisy Santiago of Little Neck, whose family lives on the island, said she is uncertain about what would be the best decision for Puerto Ricans.

"The United States has done them a lot of harm and exploited their natural resources," she said. "I don't know if becoming a state would do them any good. They've got their backs against the wall."

Puerto Rican Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY District 12) is not opposed to statehood for Puerto Rico, but she thinks that HR 2499 has been imposed on Puerto Ricans by Congress.

"Let's make it clear; this legislation has been designed to push the agenda of statehood for Puerto Rico, without giving any importance to whether this agenda is the best solution for the island or to whether it is popular among the people," said the Congresswoman. "It is not our job to create artificial conditions to assure that statehood will win the popular vote in Puerto Rico."