Source: Juan C. Cruz / EyeEm / Getty
A Puerto Rican couple tried to check into a Motel 6 in Sacramento County, but were denied when the desk clerk said that they didn’t have valid U.S. identification. This is a prime example in which it would be great if the American school system did a better job at teaching people about the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico — it’s a commonwealth. Therefore Puerto Rico is technically part of the United States.
When Raul Villanueva gave his driver’s license to the clerk, the clerk told him he needed a license from the United States. When he tried to explain to her that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, she responded saying, “No, it isn’t.”
“She wouldn’t take the passports after all,” Villanueva said. “When I brought them she said, ‘No, I won’t take it. I won’t take that.’ So I said, ‘OK, then give me my money back.'”
After spending the night with a relative, the couple called the corporate office of the hospitality chain on Thursday and talked to a representative who promptly apologized for the mistake and admitted Puerto Rican identification is on their list of accepted IDs.
With the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the couple has lived with power and water insecurity for almost a year now. They were excited to just come to the mainland and see their niece get married for a well-deserved vacation — but were faced with a terrible welcoming.
“I came all the way here to have fun, to have a nice time with our family,” Villanueva said. “And then, a thing like this thing happen.”
The couple still hasn’t received their money back from Motel 6. The location in Sacramento County did not respond to KCRA 3’s request for comment.
