An open letter to the ‘stateless children’

This is a message to those who consider themselves stateless, especially to those pursuing or want to pursue their education.

DON’T LOSE FAITH. It disheartens me to read many articles about the stateless issue on the online editions of Saipan’s newspapers and hear their testimonials about how they may not be able to pursue their college degree as they dreamed or planned. I was born on Saipan in 1981, so people who meet me and are knowledgeable about this stateless/citizenship issue would say to me: “Oh, so you’re one of those stateless people?” and I reply, “No, I’m not stateless.” Sure, I may have been born in between those years when the Covenant was being negotiated and ratified but I am NOT stateless. I know it may seem unfair that we take the citizenship of our parent’s birthplace and not the citizenship of our own birthplace. Your citizenship should not stop you from reaching your goals and achieving your dreams. Sure, who can deny that there are a lot of perks in being a U.S. citizen but you can still do it without that. I traveled a lot since I was young. When the CNMI was under Trust Territory, I had a Trust Territory passport. When that passport expired, I used my birth certificate. If my family would vacation in the Philippines or I went to Japan or somewhere international, I would use the Philippine passport I had. I never considered myself stateless. I’m proud to be a Filipino calling the CNMI my one and only home. When I was in Junior High and High School (not 18 yet), I actually thought I was of dual citizenship because I was unaware of the issue and the Covenant. I did the Japan Exchange Program in Junior High and I attended the 1997 Close Up trip to Washington D.C. using just a birth certificate. Of course, back then those who worked at the airport or immigration probably didn’t know just as much as I did about what was going on with my citizenship. I never even knew of this stateless issue until I was a college student in Hawaii.

Just because you’re not a U.S. citizen, it should not hinder you from achieving what you want in life. Let your dreams motivate you. Use what you have. We all have some type of talent. What do you want? What do you love? Who and what do you want to be? Don’t blame your citizenship or lack of finances stemming from this citizenship issue to stop you. I know it’d be great if everyone on earth could get the EAP or Federal Pell grant or etc. but just because you can’t get it, that shouldn’t stop you.

As to how I found out about this issue, on my first year attending the University of Hawaii, one of my friends on Saipan told me that if I went back home for vacation that summer, I probably wouldn’t be able to return to Hawaii because there’s all this commotion going on about stateless and citizenship. I was so unaware of this issue that I talked to my parents about it. I called and even went to the immigration office in Hawaii to get more information. I even applied for a U.S. passport at the post office but was denied a week later. I talked to my advisors at school and the best idea was go to the Philippines to get an F-1 visa so I could keep traveling home and continue attending school. I got my parents’ and school’s support and when I went home for the summer I made sure I was well aware of what documents I needed and how it was going to work and soon I was granted an F-1 visa in Manila.

In summary, just because I wasn’t a U.S. citizen, I didn’t give up my dream of higher education. There are other outposts to turn to. I know many of you are now or near college age, so you want to pursue your undergraduate or graduate degrees and many of you would like to go to the mainland to pursue it. It may probably be because we hear of all the opportunities in the mainland or that mainland colleges are better. Just because you consider yourself stateless, who says you still can’t pursue it. You can always go to your parents’ native country and get yourself an F-1 visa. Did you try? Some of you probably would say, ‘I did try but they denied me.’

If the U.S. Embassy denies you a visa, there are so many accredited online universities you could apply to and attend from the comfort of your own home on Saipan. These online universities are time-effective, giving you the same if not better education if you went to a traditional campus university off-island. You would just need a good computer and a dedicated Internet hook-up. With most online universities, you can get your bachelor’s degree in two to three years. And since you’re on Saipan, those of you who want to work while taking classes would still be able to work. Work experience is great for resumes and advanced job placement. The online courses are done at your pace and your own free time.

To those of you, who are losing hope and wonder why it’s taking so long, be patient! Just as the descendants and residents of the NMI had to wait more than 10 years or so to become U.S. citizens in 1986, so shall we have our turn. I just want to tell you that you can do whatever you desire or dream if you really put your mind to it. Talk to others; get your family and friends to support you. They will be your greatest motivator. Use your time wisely.

As for financing your postsecondary education, at 19, I graduated and received my BBA degree in Business Administration with minor in Management and Marketing in just three years without having to pay a cent in tuition because I researched, applied for and received the Pacific-Asian Scholarship and some others. All I had to maintain was a GPA higher than 3.5 every semester. This means that you don’t have to let your financial situation hinder you. Just because you’re not working or your parents don’t make enough or because you can’t qualify for Federal or CNMI aid, don’t let it stop you from continuing your education. There are many scholarships and grants available to non-U.S. citizens, whether it is need-based or merit-based. Just take the time to research or talk to a financial advisor.

Next, stay focused. Don’t get distracted or let temptations come in your way. It will be hard. It’s not going to be easy but if you keep reminding yourself why you did it in the first place, you will be blessed with it. Never give up. Work hard and strive high. Stop goofing off. Stop playing around. Do your work. Keep on learning. Move ahead. If you continue and finish your education, you could have all that you dream of. You may be our future leader. You may be that someone at the top who will help not only those who consider themselves stateless but everyone in the CNMI and beyond.

Jeaniffer Hiponia-Cubangbang
Honolulu, HI