Parents of kids with disabilities express relief

The Parents of Children with Disabilities Coalition on Saipan, headed by president Jane Curioso, said yesterday that they were relieved after learning the directive of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that it will consider granting parole until Dec. 31, 2012, for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and certain individuals without status in the CNMI.

USCIS said Thursday that this parole will allow individuals who are lawfully present in the CNMI as of Nov. 27, 2011, to maintain legal status in the CNMI beyond that date.

“It’s a good news for us and honestly, we we’re relieved for the meantime. We want to thank Congressman [Gregorio Kilili C.] Sablan for all his help. Our organization truly appreciates his assistance for our children and our families,” she told Saipan Tribune, adding that there are over 50 children with special needs covered by the coalition on Saipan.

Curioso said the association is among the four specific groups that will directly benefit from Sablan’s bill that is awaiting action in Congress.

Sablan’s H.R. 1466 seeks a grant of CNMI-only resident status for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens as of May 8, 2008, and continuing to be on the islands; CNMI permanent residents; those born in the CNMI between Jan. 1, 1974 and Jan. 9, 1978; and spouses, parents, or children of U.S. citizens under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The coalition is composed of about 60 members, of whom 38 are parents of children with disabilities in the Public School System.

Curioso is mother to a 12-year-old child with autism. She lost her job in January this year due to the bad economy and has failed to find a new one. She said other members of the group are in the same situation.

She revealed that since last month, coalition members have been applying for parole-in-place, with the assistance of the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy System Inc.

Of the 38 applications filed by coalition members, Curioso said that two have already been issued parole-in-place so far, allowing them to stay with their U.S.-born children with special needs.

Saipan Tribune learned that Curioso, who has been petitioned for a CW-2 permit by her husband, is also seeking parole-in-place to make sure she can stay with her child. She said that many parents are not currently employed due to the declining business climate and the full-time need to take care of their children with special needs.

If it will not be possible for them to get improved statuses, Curioso said they would ask to be allowed to extend their stay in the CNMI until at least the completion of the secondary education of their children. “We’re still optimistic that Congressman Kilili’s bill will be passed next year.”

A 38-year-old mother, Armie Espectacion, was also elated upon learning that she could now apply for parole that would allow her to stay in the CNMI until at least December 2012. She said the directive brought some relief to the uncertainties being experienced by nonresident workers, especially those with children with special needs.

Espectacion has a 12-year-old child diagnosed with attention hyperactivity disorder. She lost her job in April due to the unstable condition of her former company. She vowed to do her best to find a new employer in the next 12 months to ensure her continued stay with her child.

Monette Beltran, a 43-year-old mother of three U.S.-born children, said yesterday that the consideration made by the USCIS is a great help for her children, especially her 9-year-old child with autism and attention hyperactivity disorder.

“I am relieved because my child with special need can continue to avail of the critical services he needs,” she added.