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Pete A: Dekada’s concerns valid
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Posted on May 19 2005
Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio conceded that Dekada has valid concerns in pushing for improved immigration status for its members and urged local leaders to meet with the group to address these concerns.
Dekada welcomed Tenorio’s statement, declaring that the group would no longer petition the U.S. Congress for U.S. permanent residency status for its members if the CNMI government adopts a policy that will grant them permanent residency.
“The members of this group may have valid concerns about their employment status within the CNMI, and we must acknowledge that many in this group are valued employees who have contributed to the success of many local businesses,” Tenorio said in his State of the Washington Office report.
Tenorio, however, reiterated his belief that Dekada members do not have a chance to obtain U.S. permanent residency status.
“So if there is a genuine concern among the Dekada group for an improved local working and employment conditions which they do not enjoy now. I call on our local leaders to sit down with this group and try to map out a policy for enhancing their well-being within the framework of our local laws,” Tenorio said.
Dekada president Bonifacio Sagana welcomed Tenorio’s statement, adding that most of the group’s members have children who are CNMI-born Americans, but do not have long-term residency.
“We are happy. That is our goal. We don’t necessarily aspire for U.S. green card,” Sagana said. “What is good is that government officials realize that they have to discuss the issue. The door is open.”
“If something will happen to address our concerns locally, we may forego with our plan to file our petition before the U.S. Congress,” he added.
Dekada, which claims some 3,000 nonresident workers for its members, wants long-term residency status for them. Dekada said its members have at least five years of lawful stay in the CNMI. Many of them have worked in the CNMI for more than 10 years; some of them, more than 20 years.
