Jobless thought they could be given parole

Hundreds of mostly jobless individuals from the Philippines trooped to an area in Oleai yesterday to get assistance in filling out forms that many of them wrongfully thought that once submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, would allow them to remain in the CNMI beyond Nov. 27 while looking for an employer.

Many of these jobless foreigners didn’t know that they cannot be granted parole to remain in the CNMI beyond Nov. 27 if they do not have an employer that will petition them for a Commonwealth-only worker, or CW, status, by Nov. 27.

Without a pending CW application filed by their employer by Nov. 27, they could lose status to remain in the CNMI and face deportation.

USCIS may grant parole or permission to be in the CNMI to CNMI permanent residents, immediate relatives of CNMI permanent residents, and the immediate relatives of citizens of the Compacts of Free Association states such as Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia’s Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap, and Kosrae.

Many of these jobless foreign individuals also didn’t know that if they do not have an expired or expiring parole or an I-94, they can never be granted an extension of parole until Jan. 31, 2012.

But just the same, many of these jobless individuals who admitted they didn’t understand what a grant of parole or extension of parole is or who is eligible to apply for one, went to a “help desk” organized by KWAW DJ “Jimmy B” or Jimmy Blancia of Magic 100.3 FM yesterday.

Jimmy B, over 15 volunteer Marianas High School students, and other community members set up a tent beside Sand Juvy Restaurant and Catering in Oleai from 10am to 4pm yesterday to help foreigners fill out Form G-325 and compose a letter requesting USCIS to allow them to remain in the CNMI until Jan. 31, 2012.

In an interview, Jimmy B said all he wanted was to help his fellow countrymen be able to legally stay in the CNMI beyond Nov. 27, regardless of whether they have jobs or none.

“All we are asking is humanitarian assistance or consideration from USCIS,” he told Saipan Tribune.

He said not everyone who showed up were jobless.

Some of them indeed needed to have their parole or Form I-94 extended to Jan. 31, 2012 because they expired or will expire on Nov. 27.

Some jobless parents of minor U.S. citizen children also went to the place yesterday, thinking that once they fill out and submit a Form G-325, they could lawfully remain in the CNMI after Nov. 27. But that’s not true. They need to have an employer file for a CW status for them by Nov. 27.

Many of those interviewed by Saipan Tribune yesterday said they or somebody else heard over the radio that those who want to be able to remain in the CNMI after Nov. 27, including those without jobs, should show up at the Sunday event.

“I am trying my luck,” said Adelina Mandia, 60, who has an umbrella permit expiring on Nov. 27 but currently does not have a job.

She said she has yet to find an employer that will petition her for a CW status.

“I thought if we apply for parole, we can stay here. I didn’t know that’s not true,” she said. But Mandia, who has been on Saipan for 18 years, said she will continue to look for an employer who will file a CW petition for her.

Nieves Quitevis, who lost her job in August after working on Saipan for nine years, said she heard on the radio that if those like her want to apply for a parole-in-place, they will be helped so she went to Oleai yesterday. But she said yesterday even though it’s not true, there’s no harm in trying.

“My understanding is that I can get a parole to stay here until Jan. 31, 2012,” she said. “I’m not sure if that’s true but I came here anyway. Who knows?” she added.

When asked whether she thought she was misinformed, Quitevis said maybe the organizers just wanted to help those like her.

Jimmy B said there’s nothing wrong asking for something from USCIS.

But USCIS has repeatedly said foreign workers need to have an employer who would petition them for a CW status by Nov. 27 if they don’t qualify for an H1B or other INA status, or they could lose status to remain in the CNMI after that date.

Another jobless foreigner said yesterday if she doesn’t find a new employer by Nov. 27, she’s willing to go back to the Philippines.

She said she will go back to the Philippine Consulate General to see whether she could be helped with the airfare to return home.

Another unemployed nonresident said he thought he would be able to apply for a parole in place so he could find a job. Like many others, he said he didn’t realize that’s not the case.

“So now I really have to look for a job,” he said.