Better status and our islands

The buzz about the future of our non-immigrant workers and their families has consistently failed to focus on what can happen and their implications to all of us in the NMI. At the moment, two things may happen: an extension of our CW program or its shutdown.

Some writers have unfairly hammered Kilili because of his stance on better status for these workers. They try to politicize the issue but obviously lack insight on the proposal, current events on the ground in the CNMI, and why it is so pointless to argue about something we can do absolutely nothing about.

First and foremost, this is not about the NMDs. This is an immigration matter, something we have no control over. Whatever happens is all up to the U.S.; we’re just victims of circumstances within and beyond our control. Having forfeited our labor and immigration, we can only stand back, anticipate what may happen and prepare for the worst.

There are two options worth exploring: an extension of the CW program through 2019 after which the CWs can apply for a green card or the elimination of this program which will force the exit of those who do not have the status to remain in the NMI.

Take a look at the first option. It will stabilize our workforce and economy to a degree. On the other hand, it does little to deter the growth of our non-immigrant population who outnumber the locals almost 4 to 1 per the 2010 CNMI Census, which showed a total of 15,663 Chamorros and Carolinians out of a population of 53,883. If the NMDs are concerned about being minorities on their own soil, this already is the case. As for losing control of the Legislature and government, it is only a matter of time before this happens. The number of green cards issued through petition by children of non-immigrant parents has been steady and rising. Time will only broaden the gap between our population numbers.

The second option involves the exodus of more than half of our population. This will most definitely wreak havoc throughout our communities. It will demolish the private sector and certainly grind government operations to a halt. Given the many liabilities of our government, the ridiculous CUC rates, medical referral costs, limited investment opportunities, small land mass coupled with Article 12, local pride among many factors and life will prove a hardship for most our residents. Should this ever happen, poverty will rule these islands.

Instead of arguing useless semantics on better status and immigration control, we need to focus on what we can do now to prepare for the inevitable, whatever it may be. Focus on what we can do, like downsize the government, remove all those assistants and questionable offices, initiate public initiatives for referendums this November on marijuana, amend our Constitution to change our Legislature to one that is unicameral with five or six senators, removing the living allowances of our senators, either clarify the term Northern Marianas descent or removing altogether in favor of the word “indigenous.” The list is endless. Want control? Invite the U.S. to the discussion table under 902 talks and resolve their land grab attempts at Pagan and the airport, our islands taken under the Paramountcy Doctrine, the loss of our 200 mile EEZ, the existing land leases, our submerged lands, immigration policies. Again, the list goes on, but you get my drift.

I am sometimes amazed at how fanatical we can get at the most mundane things and events but remain totally complacent on those that matter. We have been spoiled by the U.S., we’ve never had to fight for our freedom and rights, we’ve always pointed fingers, never once looking in the mirror as to the cause of so many of our problems.

Our non-immigrant population has been on island for over two decades and helped lift us out of the post-TT subsistence lifestyle to the flash, glitter, and power of the dollar. There are no doubt a lot of undesirables, those out of status, out of work, druggies, those who discriminate against locals and others that do need to go, but we need to apply a lot of common sense toward a solution that will work for all of us. Anything less will certainly cost us dearly in the long run.

Noel S. Reyes
Dandan, Saipan