Pathway to citizenship

The pathway to citizenship discussion has gone viral and polarized civil discussion unnecessarily. It was stormed up by the lack of due diligence, therefore, ignorance on what the INS law says. Injecting politics into the fray isn’t of any help either clearing the air.

Suspicion was further envenomed by the refusal of the NMI’s Washington delegate to openly discuss the issue with our people. Such refusal only exacerbates perceptual homophobia of change in the social order of indigenous-rule. Was it hard being upfront with a sense of integrity on this issue?

Clarification would have quelled disoriented exchange from both sides. It now forces a more critical review of Kilili’s credibility and competency as a delegate.

Immigration is equally divisive in the U.S. Congress. The debate devolves into the views of doves and hawks, the former pushing compassion while the latter contends it isn’t in the best interest of the country.

Pro-immigration doves use economics as a reason to grant citizenship to some 11 million illegal immigrants. Hawks came roaring back saying compassion for the stranger would only bloat the $17 trillion national debt quizzing why the Trojan Horse for more unbridled spending?

The approval of what’s known as the “nuclear option” (death of the filibuster used by the minority to slow down precipitous action on presidential nominees) in the U.S. Senate has cemented political gridlock in Washington.

Therefore, I doubt that this issue (immigration) would ever secure muster when presented in the U.S. Congress next year. Liberal progressive doves would use it for political survival but the Obamacare fraud and fiasco are sufficient political malignancy to throw every career under the bus.

The proposed measure provides a mechanism for residency application not an instant grandfathering of the 13K prospective applicants. The U.S. INS law has requirements that must be met including annual income that turns into a major hurdle. Against leaving it unattended, we’d slam open the floodgates of citizenship for any Tom, Dick, and Harry.

Beyond the sour disenchantment, I question if the injection of “indigenous only” agenda isn’t 35 years late? Isn’t control of immigration solely the authority of the federal government? Furthermore, isn’t it true that sovereignty resides with our national government per Covenant Section 101? Aren’t we barking up the wrong tree?

Why engage in polemics dishing hurtful spouts against those who equally have rights to freedom of expression? It’s healthy though to agree and disagree though understandable the anger teeming with a history of oppression of the indigenous people by every colonial power since 500 years ago. Perhaps the message is “No Mas.” Whatever the case may be, it’s equally responsible to view aspirations for greater self-rule within the confines of the Covenant Agreement.

Up ahead, do we stand a chance keeping it “indigenous only” if say a thousand plus soldiers sufficiently populate Tinian and Pagan electing their own municipal and state representatives that effectively shifts and strips indigenous control of the political landscape? Wouldn’t this further torch or upset the apple cart on “indigenous only” rule? Gee! Our canoe seems riddled with a myriad of holes, true?

It’s sad how every single administration and Legislature has grandly ignored the role and functions of the constitutionally established Indigenous Affairs Office. Having served at the top post for two years (with zero funding), I could only lament the lack of conviction elected officials have given the culture and traditions of these isles.

Adding salt to the wound, legislators and governors have braved delivering speeches of the importance of culture and tradition. Their ill-conceived remarks quickly disappeared into the whippy whirl of the trade winds chasing the rainbow into the sunset. You hear the same redundant poetry every year with a slight twist—same material, different year. I had to conclude that each speaker shares a commonality with the next: no conviction or commitment. Call it permissible “official lies” in perpetuity.

I pushed and failed to secure some $36 million for a cultural center. That was shot down soundly by the Legislature amidst a declaration to fix the water system here.

Perhaps the time is most fitting for all key players to converge and begin the realignment of a rather scattered agenda that compromise any meaningful planning of indigenous issues via the consolidation of programs under a single roof.

Unless a coherent plan is forged, we will continue doing what we do best: brinkmanship ignoring that it all begins with the self. It definitely requires a committed and proactive visionary at the top.

Related issues

The use of twisted view of Section 805 pushing for retention of Article XII is a prime tool used in statist or communist countries to grant its dictators “control” of the people. The NMI isn’t a statist government but a democratic republic. Is there anything so egregiously wrong protecting the rights of landowners to own their land 100 percent?

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The deepening entrenchment into provincialism and the NMD’s “only” agenda is a dollar short and a day late. We have a permanent agreement with the U.S. since 1978. It’s a mutual consent provision that requires both sides agreeing to another round of negotiations.

I doubt that this is forthcoming from Washington anytime soon. DC is hung-up in the disastrous Obamacare fiasco trying to navigate saving the millions of folks across the country destined to lose their health policies. The king of lies finds himself naked.

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The cut of pension pay for retirees is a serious indicator of our fiscal posture that is far from poised and encouraging. Hope revenue generation inches its way in upwards spiral. Otherwise, the 25 percent cut could likely devolve into additional cuts. Jeeesuzzzz!