On the eve of a U.S. congressional hearing on federalization issues, Basa, Covenant-Saipan, introduced House Resolution 17-56 which expressed opposition to H.R. 1466, a bill introduced by U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
Sablan’s bill grants CNMI-status to certain nonresidents, including those with U.S. citizen children.
According to Basa’s resolution, which echoes the governor’s position, “The U.S. citizens of Carolinian and Chamorro ancestry in the commonwealth have a right not to have their community and culture be so radically changed in this fashion — unless they decide to do so through their own democratic institutions.”
Basa added, “We’re trying to save jobs for our local people. A lot of our people are unemployed. Our job is to protect our kids’ future. Let’s not promise them status,” referring to nonresidents.
Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, said H.R. 1466 is about a very important issue that deserves more review.
“We wouldn’t like having families torn apart. We’re human beings. Imagine if our people were put in the same situation. No one would want that. H.R. 1466 deserves more ‘looking into,’ ” he told his colleagues.
Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, on his final day as a legislator, reiterated Dela Cruz’s comments.
“We need to talk more with Congressman Kilili. We need to get together to discuss this very important issue with him first.”
Rep. Antonio P. Sablan, R-Saipan, said: “We’re looking at these U.S. citizen kids and their parents in a discriminatory fashion. We’re talking about U.S. citizens here. To act on [Basa’s] resolution today as it is being introduced is an injustice.”
Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan, compared the CNMI immigration situation to the removal of Chamorros from Saipan during the Spanish era.
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, told his colleagues that he wanted the Legislature to “take a better look into the matter.”
But he also noted that H.R. 1466 is “ironically discriminatory” because nonresidents with no children who have stayed in the commonwealth for a long time will not be granted CNMI-status.
Rep. Frederick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan, said Sablan should have discussed his bill with CNMI lawmakers.
“This is what happens when our delegate doesn’t check in with us,” he said.
But Sablan did discuss his proposal with House members during a meeting last June.
“I can understand where Representative Basa is coming from,” Deleon Guerrero said. “We have to protect our kids, our people, but these are also U.S. citizens we’re talking about.”
Deleon Guerrero said his mother was from Fiji and had to relinquish her Fijian citizenship in order to come to the CNMI to wait for a new status that wasn’t granted immediately.
“I’m torn, because my mother experienced this, and this issue has its drawbacks,” he added.
Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, supported Basa’s resolution.
“These kids weren’t U.S. citizens by choice. They were born here because their parents were here. If the parents leave, the kids need to leave with them,” he said.
Rep. Rafael S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan, for his part, said there is a need to review the resolution further.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan, said he understands the public sentiment on the issue.
“We have to be mindful that this goes back to when the Covenant was approved by the U.S. Congress and the people of the NMI. This problem goes beyond [the federalization law]…. This is a humanitarian issue that needs to be addressed.”
The House is expected to again discuss the resolution when it resumes its session today.
