May Day ralliers demand better immigration status

Hundreds joined Friday’s peaceful May Day rally to press the federal government to grant permanent immigration status to immediate relatives of U.S. and Freely Associated States citizens, long-term alien workers and other classes of nonresidents.

“Improved immigration status,” the crowd chanted as they converged, lit candles and listened to resource speakers at the American Memorial Park amphitheater after a 20-minute march from the Garapan Fishing Base.

Adults and children of different races held placards and banners that read, “Influence the federalization process,” “Keep our families together,” “Recognize years of service, contribution to the community,” “Don’t let us be left behind,” “Protect our parents to protect us,” “May Day Rally,” “Improve status for long-term guest workers,” and “Green card for NMI guest workers.”

Rita Doca, 13, a U.S. citizen, said she hopes the federal government will grant permanent status for long-term nonresident workers like her parents from the Philippines.

“I don’t want to separate from my parents. It’s important for us to be with our family,” she told Saipan Tribune as the crowd prepared to march.

Rabby Syed, president of the United Workers Movement NMI, said they held the rally ahead of the May 19 oversight hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife on the implementation of the federalization law in the CNMI so their concerns will be heard.

Many in the crowd of marchers said the May Day rally could be their last chance to influence the drafting of the two remaining federalization regulations—the transitional workers program and the student and investor visa program. The Guam-CNMI visa waiver program regulations have already been published.

Human rights advocate Wendy Doromal, in a message for the marchers, said the signing of the federalization law or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act (Public Law 110-229), stands as a major landmark along the journey for political and social rights in the CNMI.

She said the delay of the transition gives additional time to ensure that the voices of nonresidents in the CNMI are heard loudly and clearly in Washington, D.C. where important decisions will be made. She said the CNMI government is also offering input on the plan.

“This is astounding and frightening considering that the CMI government and Department of Labor are responsible for establishing and promoting the dysfunctional labor system that keeps the majority of the population disenfranchised and indentured in a two-tiered society,” Doromal said.

She added, “It is time to ensure that a secure status is granted to CNMI permanent residents, immediate relatives of United States and FSM citizens and other categories of nonresidents during the transition period. We must not allow families to be divided and torn apart.”

Touhida Alam, 40, said she and her husband have long been professionals on Saipan; she as an accountant for 13 years and her husband an engineer first with the Department of Public Works then at the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for a total of 13 years.

“We want better status because we have been here for a long time. I hope they will give us the opportunity,” said Alam, who has three children, two of whom are U.S. citizens.

Galvin Deleon Guerrero, a former principal of Mount Carmel School and running mate of former Gov. Juan N. Babauta in the November 2009 elections, said it is time for the CNMI to move past the politics of blame, and move toward a politics of hope.

“In that spirit of hope, I stand here tonight, in support of those who have been oppressed for far too long,” said Guerrero in his impassioned speech that drew cheers from the crowd who gathered on stage to shield themselves from the rain.

Wang Zhou Nin, 58, said he’s been on Saipan for 16 years as a businessman. When the garment factories started closing one after the other in 2005, he closed his restaurant business and is now only renting apartments.

“I joined the rally because I would like the federal government to give me status so I can go to Hawaii and visit my daughter. I want to see her and that’s my priority—to see her,” he said in an interview at the American Memorial Park grandstand.

Dr. Gene Silvester Oden and other guest speakers who addressed the marchers expressed support to the cause of nonresidents asking for improved immigration status in the CNMI. Oden also recalled how government officials—with the aid of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff—kept wages low for years.

Rep. Tina Sablan, lawyer Steve Woodruff, Ron Hodges and Simon Sin also addressed the crowd.

Although much smaller than the historic December 2007 unity march that drew thousands, organizers of the May Day rally said their objectives were met. They thanked all the participants, guest speakers, and those who contributed materials and services to make the banners and placards. Joining the rally were U.S. citizens, local residents, Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, Bangladeshis, Nepalese and other foreigners.

“Definitely it’s a successful rally. We were able to peacefully express our request to the federal government,” said Doca.

Ronnie Reyes, board chairman of the United Workers Movement NMI, said in their hearts they believe the federal government will not fail them.

The May 1 rally organizers listed 11 specific objectives, including influence the federalization process, revise Public Law 110-220 or the federalization law, stabilize the workforce, free labor market, benefits for business and workers, equal treatment of local and foreign workers, reform of the CNMI labor and immigration system, provide a remedy for those the system has failed, protect families and children, recognize years of service and contributions to the community, and rebuild the CNMI economy.

May Day, which occurs on May 1, is synonymous with International Workers’ Day or Labor Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement worldwide.