Supreme Court rejects disability payments for Puerto Rico residents

SSI fight prompts 2 justices to grapple with “racial stereotypes” in century-old cases on rights in U.S. territories

The legal challenge also prompted debate about whether the denial of Supplemental Security Income benefits to Puerto Rico residents is rooted in racism and whether the court should repudiate a series of century-old cases that permit Congress and local governments to deny some rights to those living in unincorporated U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.

The brief, six-page majority opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh steered clear of the issues of race and colonialism, holding that Congress had a rational basis to deny SSI benefits to Puerto Rico residents because they’re exempt from most U.S. taxes.

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