A public relations disaster for America

We are a small new business on the beautiful American islands of the Northern Marianas Islands. We have been following the federalization of immigration very closely and with much concern particularly in relation to catastrophic impact any rushed execution will have on the only remaining economy sustaining the CNMI and our own livelihood.

As a small business focused on the tourism, we remain so puzzled as to the approach decided in regards to restricting our tourists from entering Saipan until a procedure is developed to prevent those same visitors from entering our higher security locations of Guam or Hawaii. Frankly, and with all honesty, why would the USA put itself into a most embarrassing “cart before the horse” event that will certainly have further negative implications and will result in serious confusion? Would it not be wiser to leave the current restrictions for visitors preventing them now from any onward travel to USA destinations like Guam or Hawaii rather than cut off a working system, killing tourism for 12-18 months until the new procedures are developed to satisfy DHS? Is there any compassion as to the catastrophic proportion of damage to the welfare and livelihood of so many hardworking good people of the Marianas this unilateral and unnecessary decision will have? If not, then why not?

In total contrast to you who receive federally-paid salaries out of Washington 9,000 miles away with a safety net of income, us small business people who have made these new America islands our home stand to lose 12 to 18 months of income while someone in Washington drafts a new procedure, like the one already in place? I am sure you will understand our concern as to the inequity seen here in you continuing to receive your salary and benefits, while we who make our only living here on the islands from tourism get nothing!

Please hear our concerns and take them to heart. I cannot help but know with certainty that if placed in the same predicament we find ourselves in, you too would also feel most disturbed that a current system of prevention, developed by the USA and in place and working so well for so many years, would be completely ignored, in favor of stopping tourism until such time as another acceptable system is agreed upon. Has anyone calculated the horrible effect on “balance of payment” stopping tourism will have in such a deficit spending the USA is currently in? Is anyone concerned at all the embarrassment this decision will have on the way our Asian neighbors, the United Nations or the world views the USA treating its colonies and tourism?

If you were making a living from tourism and I just happen to decide to stop your income for 12-18 months, would you seriously be happy or prepared for such a financial disaster? On education tourism alone we stand to lose over $60 million in only one year! If you include cutting off Russian and Chinese tourism, you easily bump this number to well over $100 million pumped directly into our small, fragile island economy. America’s No. 1 healthy export and excellent balance of payment has been and is “brain power,” which our close Asian neighbors are fanatical in demand. Education is where we have an excellent reputation due to our very close proximity Asian neighbors. Education is tourism for the CNMI, based on the simple fact that we are the closest and most convenient USA education nearest Asia. No better balance of payment for America, that continues exponentially onward to America as they go on to USA colleges. And no better healthy image for America in Asia.

Can we not find common ground that is less disruptive to so many peoples lives and is sensible and rewarding to all by leaving the current system working to today until such time as DHS has developed a better “mouse trap”? Please consider this simple alternative before the more catastrophic and fundamentally wrong approach being considered. Our livelihood and welfare depends on your respectful consideration as public servants with a heart for this young colony, and new America closest to Asia. We are hopeful you will agree this will not be a good welcoming reception to America’s most hospitable frontier, the Northern Marianas Islands. We are also hopeful you will see that this poorly thought out and rushed approach will result in a total public relations disaster for America.