Previous Story
December swearing-in for ‘stateless?’
|
Posted on Nov 02 2004
The CNMI government plans to hold a citizenship swearing-in ceremony for the “stateless” individuals after Dec. 16 this year—if the federal government does not oppose it.
“I’d like to see a forum where we can swear-in these individuals as U.S. citizens,” said Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday.
He said this would be done in coordination with local federal authorities.
Right now, he said, “the plan is to await Dec. 16”—the deadline for the federal government to appeal a Ninth Circuit decision recognizing that those born in the CNMI between Jan. 9, 1978 and Nov. 4, 1986 and onwards are considered U.S. citizens.
Babauta said he discussed this matter with U.S. Rep. Daniel Burton during the latter’s visit on the island.
“We’re hoping that the DOJ would not appeal the case,” said the governor.
Burton, who stopped by Saipan over a week ago, said he is ready to join the CNMI in petitioning the federal government not to appeal the court ruling anymore.
“I think that they [stateless children] should have that status. They are kind of caught in between. And I’ll be happy to work on that. We’ve been working on that,” he said.
Right now, he said, the situation is “wait and see” amid a possible appeal of the decision.
At the same time, Burton said that his office has been working with the governor in preparing a bill granting the stateless individuals U.S. citizenship.
The U.S. citizenship issue is ultimately determined by the U.S. Congress.
Meantime, Babauta said that over 100 stateless persons have applied for U.S. passports. Once approved, their passports would be issued after Dec. 16.
“Their applications are being treated like any other applications,” he said.
The federal appellate court decision last September affirmed the U.S. citizenship of the stateless persons—those born in the Northern Marianas between Jan. 9, 1978 and Nov. 3, 1986.
Some authorities believe that “stateless” persons also include those who were born and raised in the Northern Islands from Jan. 1, 1974 up to Nov. 4, 1986 when CNMI citizens were granted full U.S. citizenship.
