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In equal-protection challenge, court will review Puerto Rico’s exclusion from federal safety-net program

SCOTUSBlog

Share Jose Luis Vaello-Madero is an American citizen who was born in Puerto Rico. But when he moved back to Puerto Rico to be closer to his family, Vaello-Madero lost his SSI benefits because, by law, Puerto Rico residents are excluded from the program. Two lower courts ruled in favor of Vaello-Madero.

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Blockbuster Watch

SCOTUSBlog

They argue that the court nonetheless should grant review in order to clarify the law for future elections. Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, has already opined that “ there is a strong likelihood that the [Pennsylvania] Supreme Court decision violates the Federal Constitution.”

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