1) Is it also hard for you to comprehend that I was and still supporting for a better status for long time guest workers based on the U.S. Senate & U.S. Congress bills, DOI and CNMI Senate recommendations? As I said before during the CNMI Senate Hearing: any form or shape or color of an improved status is an improved status and it doesn’t need to be green or blue immediately. I am just supporting that is written on paper. Now, I hope that even English is just my second language, sana gets mo!…(KOMPRENDE?!)
2) Having another significant other doesn’t exist only among guest workers. This is happening all over the world. Don’t tell me those local people who are having relationship with another significant other are homesick. Homesick in their own home? Come on!
3) If some guest workers entered the CNMI with false documents, I believe it was the negligence of your government to scrutinize this thing. Somehow they knew it, but they allowed it. Why? Your guess is just as good as mine.
4) You said that we made the businesses scrambling to finance the fee to petition their workers. Do you comprehend simple mathematics? Let me give you a simple example on how the fees now under CW are cheaper. If an employer will petition 5 welders under CNMI system, the employer will pay $375/welder X 5 welders = $1,875 plus alien registration of $25/welder, total is $125, for a grand total of $2,000 of fee. Under federal guest worker program: $150/welder X 5 welders =$750 (for education/training of U.S. workers) plus $320/category, plus the fee for biometrics (in which employer, may or may not shoulder) $85/welder X 5 welders = $425, for a grand total of $1,495 only. Did you comprehend that? Now, if the employers cannot come up with the cheaper fee in hiring guest workers, I therefore conclude that they do not have the ability to pay their workers too and therefore, should not be allowed to hire non-immigrant workers to avoid unpaid wages. That is my stand and my personal opinion.
Greg Cruz:
1) We had healthy discussions and debate when you were still here in CNMI. And I mentioned to some of the guest workers that you were calm during our discussions. Without any sarcasm, I am assuming and happy for you, that since you are in Arizona, you have better opportunities there and have a better life.
Greg, let’s pretend the CNMI decided not to be under U.S. anymore and the U.S. citizenship that was given under the Covenant last 1976 to those Chamorro/Carolinian will be revoked. How would you feel if people like you will not be allowed to travel, work and stay anymore to any of U.S. state? Pretending again that you have your kids and grand children who are U.S. citizens, studying and have enjoyed their stay there in the U.S. Would it be easy for you to pack your things and go back here in CNMI, knowing the economy here is worse than before? If your answer is no, guest workers here have the same feeling (let’s talk about feelings here because we are all human).
2) Please remember that those who filed lawsuit only filed a complaint regarding CW regulations not the whole federal government. And please remember also that there will never be a law or a regulation that will satisfy everyone. There will always be one or some who will oppose it.
The truth and reality is, we are all victims here of a broken system.
And lastly, the truth is, I will still be here LEGALLY after November 27, 2011 whether you like it or don’t.
MALOU H. BERUECO
Airport Road, Saipan
