United we stand, divided we act

Dear fellow guest workers:

Our quest for a better status here in the CNMI is once again on top of our mind; forums, meetings and similar events are very much alive. Federalization and the residency status of long time guest workers is always on top of conversations at Sunday barbecue parties, beach meetings, birthday parties and other related gatherings. Some say “yes” to federalization, “no” to permanent residency” while others say “yes” to both federalization and permanent residency, whichever comes first.

One group gathered to lay down their views on the issue of permanent residency, bringing with them a team of expert, lawyers, leaders of different organizations, leaders of other nationalities and local leaders of indigenous people. They are trying to convey the pros and cons of the permanent residency to long-time guest workers while patiently waiting for federalization to come. This group understands the current situation of long-time guest workers, who spent half of their lives without exiting only to find themselves leaving the island due to unsecured immigration status. A local leader says we are not against guest workers, especially those who had been here for more than 10 years. “We are in democratic islands; we respect everyone on the island because we belong to one community,” he said.

One group chooses to avoid the issue of permanent residency because of legal matters under the CNMI’s Constitution. They said that “ anyone offering residency is trying to fool the workers with this scheme. They would likely offer residency as a ploy in exchange for workers’ support in delaying the federalization bill.” This group is discouraging guest workers from trusting people who conducted a meeting secretly, those not willing to state who they represent.

Permanent residency advocates drives along Chalan Pale Arnold toward Susupe while the federalization group drives along Beach Road toward Susupe and minutes later they’re all along one route going to Susupe: One place, one road, one common goal on different vehicles. United we stand; divided we act but we have a common goal.

I belong to the “others,” those who choose whichever comes first because both federalization and permanent residency will save us from leaving the island against our will. Federalization and permanent residency does not give us a guarantee that everyone will qualify. Permanent residency is a local initiative that can be acted upon through amendments of the existing laws or through immigration rules and regulations governing the status of foreign workers. Federalization is miles away from the CNMI and the same is true, there is no guarantee that everyone is qualified for H-Visas.

Both ways are acceptable so, let us join our hands together, because together we will succeed.