Mga kababayan ko!

This letter is for all my kababayan (countrymen) about the hype surrounding the CNMI Transitional Workers Final Rule because a lot of unscrupulous individual or groups of people right now are taking advantage of some of my kababayan by promising them a work visa or even extending their permit in the CNMI.

Just follow and remember this simple guide: C.W.—C.N.M.I.

1. C is for confused Filipinos seeking non-immigrant or CW status. You must consult the proper authorities, not your relatives, friends, co-workers, or peers regarding your options on how to stay and live here in the CNMI. Don’t speculate or pay any amount to bogus individuals promising that they will give you the right visa after you’ve made an agreement with them.

I suggest that all of you attend a free seminar/forum conducted by USCIS within a week or visit their website at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=378603dca1042310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

2. W stands for workers to update all their valid documents including their original passport (valid for six months), umbrella permit, parole-in-place, SSS, CNMI ID, or, if you planning to bring in your dependent, a photocopy of their passport (if you’re married, a marriage certificate authenticated by NSO).

Go to our Philippine Consulate General and seek advice on how to expedite your passport and the likes. http://www.philippinessaipan.org/philippines-saipan/embassy-saipan/about-the-office-saipan/

3. C stands for contract workers who have no jobs right now and will be leaving the islands with their wives/husbands and children. They must think and plan NOW on how to take care of their U.S. citizen kids before Nov. 27, 2011.There are a lot of cases that fall into this category. Filipinos value their families the most. They’ll endure the travails of working abroad just to ensure a better life for their family. They are living heroes. I recommend seeking the help of our governor and lawmakers for advice on how to protect their U.S. citizen children.

4. N is for “nowhere-to-go individuals” (no job, no umbrella permit, expired passport) seeking the right status. They must seek the advice of a USCIS agent by scheduling an appointment at: http://infopass.uscis.gov/

Reality check: You must be prepared to leave before Nov. 27, 2011.

5. M stands for Manila, our last option if we fail to process our status before the Nov. 27 deadline. Don’t gamble your status and follow rumors/hearsay/gossip. This is not a telenovela [soap opera] or movie anymore; it’s reality. There are a lot of job opportunities in your respective regions and a lot of useful FREE training/seminar conducted by DTI on how to become an entrepreneur with an initial capital of $200 and below.

For free seminar/training on how to starts business: http://www.dti.gov.ph/splash.php.

6. I stands for illegal immigrant, who will be under the control of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security. We don’t want to go beyond that situation and be deported to our home country.

I’m recommending to our local leaders here to enact a law like an “amnesty program” that would register the thousands of undocumented foreign workers, giving them a chance to work legally in a country that relies heavily on foreign labor.

I know that Filipinos are honest and law abiding, but this development could also have severe consequences for them. That is why it is so important that if you are in the U.S. illegally, you should seek the advice of a reputable attorney who could perhaps advise you of legitimate ways to legalize your status. Or, if you are an immigrant who committed certain crimes, it is very important that your criminal case be handled properly, so it will not have drastic immigration consequences.

But the bottom line is to obey the laws and don’t get arrested, because you may find yourself back in the Philippines “for life.”