My reply

To Vince G. Cabrera: Since you mentioned my name in your letter to the editor, this is my reply:

1) Is it also hard for you to comprehend that I was and am still supporting a better status for long-time guest workers based on the U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress bills, DOI, and CNMI Senate recommendations? As I said before during the CNMI Senate hearing: Any form or shape or color of an improved status is an improved status and it doesn’t need to be green or blue immediately. I am just supporting what is written on paper. Now, I hope that even if English is just my second language, sana gets mu!…(komprende?!)

2) Having another significant other doesn’t exist only among guest workers. This happens all over the world. Don’t tell me those local people who are having relationships with another significant other are homesick. Homesick in their own home? C’mon!

3) If some guest workers entered the CNMI with false documents, I believe it was the negligence of your government to scrutinize this thing. Somehow they knew it but they allowed it. Why? Your guess is just good as mine.

4) You said that we made businesses scramble to finance the fee to petition their workers. Do you comprehend simple mathematics? Let me give you a simple example on how the fees under CW are cheaper. If an employer will petition five welders under the CNMI system, the employer will pay $375/welder X 5 welders = $1,875 plus alien registration of $25/welder, total is $125, for a grand total of $2,000 fee. Under the federal guest worker program: $150/welder X 5 welders = $750 (for education/training of U.S. workers) plus $320/category, plus the fee for biometrics (which the employer may or may not shoulder) $85/welder X 5 welders = $425, for a grand total of $1,495 only. Did you comprehend that? Now, if the employers cannot come up with the cheaper fee in hiring guest workers, I therefore conclude that they do not have the ability to pay their workers too and therefore should not be allowed to hire non-immigrant workers to avoid unpaid wages. That is my stand and my personal opinion.

To Greg Cruz: We had healthy discussions and debate when you were still here in the CNMI. And I mentioned to some of the guest workers that you were calm during our discussions. I am assuming and happy for you that, since you are in Arizona, you have better opportunities there and have a better life.

1. Greg, let’s pretend that the CNMI has decided not to be under the U.S. anymore and the U.S. citizenships that were given under the Covenant in 1976 to Commonwealth residents will be revoked. How would you feel if people like you will not be allowed to travel, work, and stay anymore in any U.S. state? Let’s pretend again that you have your kids and grandchildren who are U.S. citizens, studying and have enjoyed their stay there in the U.S. Would it be easy for you to pack your things and go back here to the CNMI, knowing that the economy here is worse than before? If your answer is no, guest workers here have the same feeling (let’s talk about feelings here because we are all human).

2) Please remember that those who filed the lawsuit only filed a complaint regarding the CW regulations not the whole federal government. And please remember also that there will never be a law or a regulation that will satisfy everyone. There will always be one or some who will oppose it.

The truth and reality is, we are all victims here of a broken system.

And lastly, the truth is, I will still be here legally after Nov. 27, 2011, whether you like it or not.

Malou H. Berueco
Airport Road, Saipan