CNMI voters will be asked this November whether they support the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recommendation to grant long-term guest workers improved immigration status, acting Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro said on Wednesday night.
The administration also plans to put on the ballot a question on whether the public will allow the CNMI government to incur a public debt of at least $200 million in the form of pension obligation bonds for the Retirement Fund’s use.
During the public hearing at the multi-purpose center conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Independent Agencies chaired by Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, close to 50 members of the public participated, including former Rep. Tina Sablan, Saipan Chamber of Commerce vice president Jim Arenovski and United Workers Movement-NMI president Rabby Syed.
“Our plan is we’re going to have a referendum come November” Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, said. “And in that referendum, although we’re still working on it, I am sure the question would be something like this: Are you in favor of Interior’s report? Yes or No?”
According to Ogumoro, “We would like to see that the control over the destiny of the CNMI continues to be in the hands of the indigenous people. That is my dream and I will make sure that will happen.”
Indigenous Affairs Director Ike Demapan said the administration does not support Interior’s recommendation and prefers the “status quo.”
Demapan said if the estimated over 16,000 guest workers are conferred U.S. citizenship, the indigenous people would be disenfranchised in their own homeland.
He expressed confidence the U.S. Congress will not allow that to happen.
“I am very sure…the U.S. Congress will not go against the wish of the indigenous people,” he said.
Edward Diaz, one of the local people who attended the hearing, said he supports a referendum.
“A referendum would be proper so that eligible voters can decide on the issue,” said Diaz whose public statement was cut short after he asked legislators not to use derogatory words.
“I think we should be more diplomatic. The U.S. government is not our enemy. The U.S. government is our friend,” he added.
Arenovski, for his part, suggested a special immigration status tailored for the CNMI’s needs.
Sen. Ralph DLG Torres, R-Saipan, agrees.
He noted that immigration is a contentious issue in the U.S.
“We can make our own status,” the senator said.
The Legislature and the Fitial administration are asking Congress to reject Interior’s recommendation.
They want Interior to revise its report and consult first with the governor before a new one is submitted to Congress.
Comments
The locals better be careful and quit sitting back and watching and start taking action.
In my previous note I mentioned 'integrity.' The 'banksters' as you correctly termed them, have none. But, believe it or not, there are people of integrity who work for the greater good. They are selfless, wishing for the entire community to prosper and for those within it to be happy. Perhaps you have never experienced this in your life, but I have. It is eminently possible, although a great challenge, today in the CNMI.
Answer: "Benny the Midnight Creeper" did not put
Eloy Inos in any position. The erring
voters of the CNMI did that.
They BOTH should be "booted out of office"
So what do you consider "American Blood" Only the North American Indians are "true North American blood". The rest is of multi-race mixtures as the Majority of Chamorro are.
[Magofna, although i agree on the history of WW2 here as you mention but i will not and never say that I am american..i will rather say that am a proud and born chamorro and a US citizens cuz i dont have the american blood…Do you?]
Answer to the racial bias diswplayed by "Brokenarrow": Do I have "American blood?" Sure, just like you do, Americans are people of every race on Earth. There is no single so-called "American blood." To be an American is an honor granted to some, coveted by many, unavailable to others. Count your lucky stars that you are not under the Imperial Japanese domain. Had the Americans not removed the slave-masters, this would be a very different world today and you and I would be their servants. Perhaps the intent of the U.S. invasion was to secure the islands for military purposes. Nevertheless, the fortuitous EFFECT is that you and I are not Japanese today; we are Americans.
Kinda like the mess that the unregulated U.S. banksters foisted on the rest of the world causing a WORLDWIDE RECESSION, and millions of people jobless and homeless in AMERICA. Happy Liberation Day everyone!
EloyInos4Govern or: do you REALLY think that you're helping Inos's chances for governor by attacking the leader of the party that put him in the position he's in now?