School mulled for safe haven project

The United States International Mission Saipan plans to put up its own school in the CNMI as part of its goal of establishing a safe haven for children who are being victimized by human traffickers in Southeast Asia’s sex trade.

USIM Saipan’s attorney, Stephen Nutting, pointed out that the “safe haven” project would not at all burden the CNMI government and its people, but instead provide indirect benefits to the economy.

The non-profit corporation is the local affiliate of the California-based USIM, which claimed it was organized to rescue children between the ages of 8 and 16 from human trafficking and white slavery.

In a media statement, Nutting assured that the project would not seek any funding from the CNMI government, and that the CNMI’s human resources and infrastructure would not be adversely affected.

Nutting said USIM would work with the Public School System and the Northern Marianas Board of Regents in connection with the accreditation of the proposed school, but assured that rescued Southeast Asian children would not be mainstreamed in any PSS or private school.

“USIM will establish its own safe haven school, not only to provide these children with certain basic skills, but also to provide a sense of normalcy and purpose,” Nutting said.

“Through its broad-based fundraising efforts, USIM will provide for all of the needs of the children. Counselors, medical doctors, nurses, teachers and other volunteers will be employed locally and from the U.S. to assist in USIM’s efforts to rehabilitate the children through counseling and education,” he added.

Nutting said the project would be funded by contributions from a network of Vietnamese-Americans in the United States, as well as other ethnic Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese humanitarians around the world. He said estimated contributions to Vietnamese relatives of those living outside the Asian country reach $5 billion to $15 billion yearly.

“While concerns have been raised of the possible impact on CHC [hospital] and local health care providers, all of the children will undergo a complete health examination, before they will be allowed to come to the CNMI. If medical care is required at CHC, USIM will pay for all medical care either through its own funding programs or via a medical insurance program,” Nutting said.

Nutting also said the project would indirectly benefit the CNMI’s economy. He said funds from USIM’s donors, which will come into the CNMI to support rescued children, the group’s staff and volunteers, would be circulated in the local economy. Nutting said paid staffers would also pay the CNMI government taxes on salaries and wages.

“Additionally, the CNMI will be exposed to the broad base of wealthy supporters of USIM, who may well consider the CNMI as an opportune place to make other, more profitable business investments. While USIM cannot promise immediate monetary riches for the CNMI arising from its humanitarian rescue mission, it believes that the old adage ‘Out of good deeds, grow great returns,’ is particularly applicable here,” he added.

The CNMI Attorney General’s Office recently announced that a public hearing would be held regarding proposed regulations to accommodate the “safe haven” beneficiaries in the CNMI. The public hearing will be held at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Dec. 29, 2005, from 6pm to 8:30pm.

The proposed regulations seek to allow the issuance of a safe haven entry permit to children aged 8 to 16, who will be sponsored by a non-profit entity dedicated to rescuing victims of human trafficking and sexual slavery.

Based on the proposed measure, initial permits would be issued for a 90-day period, but they could be renewed indefinitely at the attorney general’s discretion. A holder of such permit may eventually transfer to foreign student immigration status if he or she meets requirements.

At least two CNMI lawmakers have expressed opposition to the safe haven project. Earlier news reports quoted Senators Joseph Mendiola and Pete Reyes as saying that the proposal lacked comprehensive planning. Reyes reportedly submitted his written comment to the AGO recently, enclosing signatures of about 100 people opposed to the draft regulations.

The senators reportedly questioned the AGO’s motive for supporting the plan, but Attorney General Pamela S. Brown denied allegations that she has been supporting the safe haven project for personal gain.