<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Why are Puerto Ricans considered Americans?
<|assistant|>
Puerto Ricans are considered Americans because they are United States citizens who are born in or related to Puerto Rico, an island that the United States has owned and governed since the Spanish–American War of 1898. Puerto Ricans are also U.S. citizens by birthright. All people born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, including those born after Puerto Rico became an official US Commonwealth in 1952. This makes Puerto Ricans different from other immigrants from Latin America, most of whom must apply and undergo a thorough legal process to become US citizens. All US citizens, regardless of where they were born, are entitled to several rights and protections guaranteed by the US Constitution, including the right to vote and access to public services.  Additionally, Puerto Ricans were granted the right to draft and elect their own local officials by the Puerto Rico Constitution of 1952. These features and benefits give Puerto Ricans a unique status as American citizens.