Pending legislation on the federalization of CNMI labor and immigration was delayed due to an objection by Republican Senator Tom Coburn concerning gun control in public parks. Senator Coburn has become the new best friend of NMI Governor Ben Fitial and our cast of lobby characters, which includes Jack Abramoff, HANMI (hotel association), and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. The Fitial administration is scrambling to fight the takeover here, to the detriment of our local populace and our long mistreated guest workers. The newest ploy threatens workers with deportation by the Island Slave Law and is trying to coerce them into agreeing with some form of CNMI residency.
Unpaid NMI/Fitial consultant, Deanne Siemer, met last week with several Filipinos to discuss an offer of CNMI "residency." The meeting was held in "top" secrecy, but of course, word got out. Another expanded meeting is planned for Thursday where they will invite a couple Chinese and Bangladeshis too. All of this will be followed by press conference to highlight the new NMI residency development according to reports from the meeting.
This is another ploy to stall federalization. What started out as a good ides by a CNMI legislator has evolved into a scheme to manipulate guest workers and defeat federalization legislation. This administration has tried to concoct a plan that would stall US intervention and assistance with our labor and immigration.
I have many concerns and questions. Does an unpaid consultant speak for the NMI government? Who is speaking for local people and the 16th legislature? Can any state or territory offer residency? How long will the residency last? If you can offer a deal with one signature from the Governor, can't you change the deal with another signature? Would you trust an architect of PL-15-108(Island Slave Law)? Why would anyone be offered a deal now? Do several unelected Filipinos speak for our diverse workforce? Is the CNMI planning a lawsuit against the US as Siemer claimed? Is this a stall so greedy "chamber" members can bleed every buck out of the local populace for three or four more years while they attempt a court action against the US?
A small group met to unveil this plan. PL-15-108 is being held over the head of several already stressed Filipinos and then they were offered a compromise... NMI foreign residency status. Historically, it is not wise to negotiate out of fear and weakness. PL-15-108 (short-titled Island Slave Law) hangs like a guillotine over CNMI guest workers and over the small group at this meeting. The implied threat is sign our "new residency" deal or you will be sent home, or to quote one of the meeting participants in tears, ""Do we want status or do we want to help our family"?"
"You do not examine legislation in light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered."- Lyndon Johnson
If a mainland consultant is, in fact, speaking for our local Congress, would it not show more sincerity to guest workers to repeal PL-15-108 first, and then discuss a new NMI residency plan? In fact, I would suggest scrapping the Island Slave Law and using a better plan for the transitional period. This would ease suffering to workers and business caused by change. It is a myth outside the NMI that "all" locals are against federalization and "all" guest workers are pro. Many surveys, including local Congressman Joe Camacho’s show overwhelming support from the indigenous populace. Guest workers that have been involved with immigration fraud and operate businesses that would be deemed illegal by the feds are against US intervention.
If our government wants to hire lawyers and lobbyists, wouldn’t the money be better spent lobbying the US to insist local Chamorro and Carolinians working in labor and immigration will be retained as US federal employees? This would bring a much needed development to the cash strapped commonwealth. No one here wants locals replaced. Affirmative action has been used effectively in the past and will be important here to retain locals in US government jobs. The CNMI immigration has conscious immigration officers making about 20k per year and this qualification and experience should be paid substantially higher under US labor and immigration. I would like to see our government cooperate with the US in working to support our local residents instead of hiring lobbyists to protect big business.
The uncertain economic climate here has caused much stress in a time we need patience most. We can be comforted by the assurance that the struggle for social justice began long before Rosa Parks was born and will continue long after the decent citizens of the commonwealth are gone.
Ron Hodges
Puerto Rico, Saipan