The working illegals: A dilemma

So the FBI found “illegals” (overstayed visitors) here, over 1,000 of them, and certainly not only Chinese although most of the attention is focused on those from China for whatever reason. They came as tourists and stayed for the opportunity to work, live, and make money.

There are, of course, those that were intentionally brought in under false pretenses to work in construction but given the extreme lack of workers on island and the millions at stake, we have to admit, the stakes were high and remained so. Thus the justification, the excuse and the dilemma, part of it. The other part of the dilemma is the possibility that some of these illegals are not all workers but people who decided to stay and invest their money into the CNMI, some perhaps through real estate, leasing properties, buying houses, or start a small business venture. The workers, on the other hand, work. They build and they work all over the islands. Oh, and for the record so no one gets confused, they came from the Philippines, China, Bangladesh, Korea, and other parts of Asia. And we may hate to admit it, but when they pay for goods and services, they contribute to our economy. Now, I hate to say this but every time something big hits the news, our lawmakers and those in government react and they do so with threats of corrective action.

Do me a favor, Mr. Legislator, how about trying to understand the problems first then looking for ways to resolve them without killing the economy. A friend of mine was complaining the other day that the BSI casino did not open as scheduled. Well? Is the project finished? Were all the little things that needed to be completed prior to opening done? If not, why? Lack of workers perhaps? How about the hotel next to PIC, is that on schedule? Do they have the manpower to construct, finish, open, and continue operating that facility? If not, we have a problem. We’ve had a problem for a long, long time. We just did not want to stare at reality in the face.

Ignoring it altogether is easier on the conscience and the paycheck. So, what do we do? Mandate by law a labor ID card to all who come here to work. Well, immigration is, now, under federal jurisdiction. Maybe they can bring a couple of thousands of their agents to clean these islands of the unwanted, unneeded, burden on our society criminals that we call the “illegals.” Why not? Do you have another option? Here’s one. I’m one of those that believes that U.S. Public Law 110-229 as written was wrong. It confiscated control of our immigration despite having questionable authority to do so. And with past labor immigration and labor abuses as their justification because they were happening on U.S. soil. We must find a way around the federal laws that protect people who are on U.S. soil with the due process provision. How about this option: Let us go before the proper committee and sub-committee of the U.S. Congress ask for a return of our immigration. Seems like the U.S. does not respect our Covenant which is the basis for our keeping our immigration to ourselves for a very good reason. The passage of Public Law 110-229 contradicts the terms and conditions of Article 1 of our Covenant. How would the District Court look at the “Taking,” by the U.S., of our immigration system? Would the court declared the act “null and void?” Our question is the constitutionality of the act. We’re political partners, not enemies, but we have reasons for our actions as presented before the Akaka subcommittee in the 1990s by then Gov. Froilan Tenorio and then U.S. Delegate John N. Babauta. If we decide to go to District Court, do you think that’s going too far? We could call for a “902 consultation” and lay everything on the table. All bets are off. Return our immigration system. The return of our immigration system will allow us to control our own future, instead of begging for the graciousness of the “feds.”

Rudy M. Sablan
Garapan