Pastoral letter calls for ‘respect’ to those affected by immigration changes

A three-page pastoral letter from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa has called for respect and prayers for many nonresidents and residents affected by immigration changes in the CNMI.

“This call for respect, practice of charity and solidarity is grounded in Sacred Scriptures,” said Fr. Ryan Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.

Umbrella permits expired yesterday, and those who do not have legal employers or who do not have parole in place face loss of immigration status and could be subject to removal.

Jimenez pointed to pertinent social teachings of the Catholic Church as a guide in dealing with current events such as immigration.

Of the five guiding principles of Catholic social teaching on immigration in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter, “Strangers No Longer,” Jimenez pointed to the fifth principle of upholding the dignity of the human person.

That fifth guiding principle is this: “All immigrants possess inherent human dignity, which should be respected in all cases.”

“With this as our basis for relating with one another, there should be no room for hatred with our fellow human being. In recognizing the rights of every individual and in upholding the laws, we should try our best to instill basic respect with one another,” Jimenez said.

Ligaya Almodiel, a nonresident worker in the CNMI since 1994, said she’s thankful that the Church shares the concern of many of its parishioners who are affected by immigration changes.

Almodiel went to church at 6am yesterday, and she said that’s when she learned about the pastoral letter.

“Many individuals in the congregation are affected by this, and I am thankful the Church shares their concerns,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Nov. 27 is the first Sunday of Advent or the beginning of a new cycle in the Church’s liturgical calendar. Yesterday was the first day when Catholic faithful saw revisions in the English translation of prayers and responses at Mass from the original Latin text.

But Jimenez said Nov. 27 also marks an important turn in the CNMI community. He pointed to the last day of the validity of umbrella permits for nonresidents. Federalization of CNMI immigration brought new immigration requirements for non-U.S. citizens on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, and any quest for their continued stay in the islands.

“The population it impacts is significant enough to impose many changes in our parishes, villages and the Commonwealth at large… The Diocese itself has had to review the nonresident status of those assisting with its mission, including members of the clergy and the religious,” Jimenez said.

The apostolic administrator said as Nov. 27 approached, there were those who left the islands to return home or left elsewhere to seek gainful employment, those who remained after securing approved status, and those who did not secure approved status but remained hopeful for a perceived outcome.

“In any event, Nov. 27, 2011 is now here and changes are imminent… Through this pastoral letter, I, together with the clergy of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, are one in prayer with the many nonresidents and residents alike who are affected with this reality,” he said.

Some nonresidents who are taking part in the Occupy USCIS movement said yesterday they are also thankful that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider granting parole to certain groups of people including parents of U.S. citizen children.

Bonifacio Sagana, president of Dekada Movement and is taking part in the movement to ask USCIS to grant parole for all legal aliens, said the Occupy USCIS movement has also been praying for those affected by the immigration changes and those who want to oppose any effort to help those affected by these changes.

Manuel T. Vilaga, a concerned citizen also supporting the Occupy USCIS movement, said he will always pray that the “fruits of your hardships and contribution in the development of the CNMI in the form of long-term foreign workers who are not part of HR 1466 be recognized, appreciated, and rewarded by the federal government.”

“Hold on together and remain law-abiding citizens in the U.S. Commonwealth, the land of liberty, freedom, and democracy under the American heritage. Do not be afraid to do the right thing, God bless,” he said.