Dialogue that seeks solutions

As president of TAOTAO TANO I would like to address my fellow indigenous local Northern Mariana Descent people of the land on the issues that took place during a forum with the non-resident guest workers and foreign organizations such as DEKADA and MOVERS. I must emphasize that nothing was decided on the issue of granting CNMI residency status to long-term foreign guest workers here in our homeland, but rather as concerned citizens and advocates in the community we offered a door to a dialogue and a sit at the table to find better solutions to address and recognize the existence of long-term foreign guest workers whom have made the CNMI their home for many years. We are willing to set aside all our differences and set out a new course of direction to find solutions to this ongoing non-resident issues in our homeland for it is the right thing to do.

This was the second meeting that TAOTAO TANO had attended and each time I continue to address the issue of a complete stand down of statements being made out to the general public in the medias and establish a truce with the DEKADA organization and other worker organizations while we discuss this long-term residence issue for we are adults and reasonable people.

Rep. Tina Sablan now says she had already drafted a bill concerning the granting of CNMI residency status to foreign guest workers who had been residing in the CNMI for the past seven years. As president of TAOTAO TANO we completely disagree with this disrespectful approach. The residency issue is important to the local community and we deserve a chance to discuss it ourselves before someone tries to write a bill and tell us what to think. Tina Sablan says she wants to act now in 30 days before federalization happens and the federal government tries to take away the right of maximum self-government that our people negotiated for in the Covenant. She seems to forget that she was the frontline of the recent Unity March leading the foreign guest workers in support of a federal immigration and opposition to a good law 15-108 which we supported 110 percent. She has been telling foreign workers that federalization was good for them, and now it is realized that federalization is not so good for them, at least not for long-term residency. The CNMI could provide that longer-term residency for foreign workers, but the federalization bill does not provide that at all. In fact, the federalization bill has as its goal the reduction to zero of all foreign workers here in the CNMI and to send them all home.

I do respect ones opinion and the freedom of expression or to protest as provided by our First Amendment rights in our constitution. And I understand that foreign guest workers have marched and protested over issues in the past. But this time, they have come to us for a dialogue. On this issue they respect our views and they want to work with us. So lets leave what is past in the past, at least on this issue. I am human, a Catholic, a diplomat, and an advocate for my indigenous local Northern Mariana Descent people of the land who is willing to continue this dialogue and meeting with any foreign guest worker who truly calls and considers the CNMI their home and to seek out a solution to their plight.

We the TAOTAO TANO reiterate and wish to convey, acknowledge and recognized the many contributions the foreign guest workers had contributed in our homeland. It is time that we the TAOTAO TANO find solutions to what is in the best interest for everyone in the community and our homeland as whole. Let us concentrate first on this one issue, and if we are successful here, maybe we can proceed to all other issues affecting each and everyone in the CNMI. Please let us not forget that the healing process has to happen first. The foreign workers offer respect to my fellow indigenous local Northern Mariana Descent people of the land and I, for one, want to continue the dialogue. This is not to say that we will guarantee a solution. But we can make the Commonwealth a better place for trying. Thank you.