Rep. Rafael S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan and one of the two principal sponsors of House Joint Resolution 17-4, urged his colleagues to support it.
The Senate is also expected to adopt the resolution when it holds a session today.
“It appears that the federal government has its own agenda and it appears that the U.S. government intends to make its own decision…. I believe this is a slap on our face,” Demapan said prior to the adoption of H.J.R. 17-4 which Rep. Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan, co-sponsored.
Deleon Guerrero said he is ready to fight for the indigenous people’s right to retain political control in their homeland.
Entitlement
Rep. Antonio P. Sablan, R-Saipan, said the number of nonresidents will further increase if the family members of the guest workers who stand to benefit from Interior’s proposals is counted.
“If you confer entitlement to a large number of outsiders, you will overturn the political power of the indigenous people,” he said. “Here, we’re not talking about the contract workers but the whole pack.”
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, said the issue is a very delicate subject that should be thoroughly studied.
He said the U.S. Census figures on the population of nonresidents should perhaps be used because they are neutral.
“We keep putting this issue aside but we can no longer ignore it,” he added.
Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan, described as a myth the claim that granting guest workers improved status would “facilitate economic growth.”
He said the federal government failed to honor the CNMI’s rights under its Covenant with the U.S.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, said “our people could be a minority if this type of policy is imposed upon us.”
Rep. Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian, said while the CNMI recognizes the contributions of guest workers to the islands’ economic development, there are underlying issues that should be considered.
“U.S. citizenship was never part of their contractual agreement,” he said, adding that nonresidents arrived here for employment and not to get improved immigration status.
“We cannot just allow the federal government to impose its will against us,” he added.
Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, said the indigenous people’s exclusive right to own lands in the CNMI may be changed once guest workers are granted U.S. citizenship.
Based on his estimate, the nonresident population could rise to 70,000 if their immediate relatives are factored in.
That is enough number to change constitutional and legislative matters in the CNMI, he added.
“They will eventually take over the CNMI government and get rid of Article 12 so that everyone is able to own lands in the CNMI…. I am very concerned,” Dela Cruz said.
The resolution is also backed by the Fitial administration.
