“That’s what the congressional staffers told us,” he said.
Syed said he discussed with the staffers of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus members the importance of an “improved status” bill before Nov. 27 when the umbrella permit issued by the CNMI government to nonresident workers expires.
He said he also discussed with CNMI Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan about the parole in place that could be extended to nonresident workers in the CNMI.
Syed said he will meet with nonresidents on Thursday at the Minatchom pavilion starting at 6 p.m. to discuss the results of his lobbying efforts in the U.S.
They will also talk about what to do next, he added.
“I want them to continue to be united,” Syed said as he invited all nonresidents and supporters to attend the meeting.
Although he didn’t have any success in the U.S., Syed said his recent trip gave him an idea on what to do next.
His visit, he added, “was very helpful in getting the right strategy move forward.”
Syed said his visit was the first taken by a CNMI nonresident worker to Washington, D.C. to talk directly with U.S. congressional staffers.
He said he also met with sympathetic leaders of different organizations, including human rights and non-government organizations.
On her Unheard No More blogsite, former Rota teacher Wendy Doromal, who accompanied Syed in Washington, D.C., told CNMI nonresidents that although she has “tried to the best of my ability with limited resources to advance your cause and help you to achieve justice…there is…a slim possibility that a true champion of the foreign workers will introduce legislation that would grant permanent residency to you.”
She added, “I am deeply ashamed of how my country has and continues to treat you. Please know that there are people who care about all of you and there are officials who are trying to help all of you to achieve justice.”
