For delegate fleeing poverty in Puerto Rico, DNC is a one-way trip
Like thousands of other delegates to the Democratic National Convention this week, Gendy Tchuda made her way to Philadelphia by plane. Unlike most, the 25-year-old from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, bought a one-way ticket.
"There's no jobs in Puerto Rico right now," said Tchuda, who's been searching fruitlessly for work since graduating from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras in May 2015. "If I can get an opportunity, I would stay here."
Tchuda is among 23 Bernie Sanders delegates from Puerto Rico, which sent 67 delegates altogether. While many Sanders delegates are speaking out on issues like campaign-finance reform and the role of superdelegates, the Puerto Ricans have more immediate concerns: The island's unemployment rate, 11.2 percent, is more than double the national average, the 45 percent poverty level is the highest in the nation, and about 38 percent of households use food stamps.
Because of the crushing economy, Puerto Ricans have been fleeing the island at a rate of 230 a day.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/dnc/20160727_For_delegate_fleeing_poverty_in_Puerto_Rico__DNC_is_a_one-way_trip.html
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