Rahall and U.S. Virgin Islands Congresswoman Donna Christensen, along with CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, met with hundreds of guest workers from the Philippines, China and Bangladesh at the Garapan Fishing Base on Sunday afternoon.
In a brief interview, Rahall said he doesn’t want to give guest workers false hope but he pledged to do something about their situation within his legislative powers.
“False hope I do not give,” Rahall said, adding that there is a process that must be followed.
Like others who are concerned with the looming changes in the CNMI’s immigration system, Rahall said he too is getting frustrated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“You know, it’s a process and I did express frustration with DHS. That the regs are not [done yet] and are not being implemented. There is some justified frustration, that even us in the Congress, feel. But I think the process will work itself out once it happens. I hope there will be a just solution,” Rahall said.
He said he was moved by the stories he heard from the guest workers, which he described as “coming from their hearts.”
Christensen, the former chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, said she came back to see for herself what’s happening on the islands.
“We’re glad that we got that part done,” Christensen said referring to the successful enactment of the federalization law.
“But much still needs to be done. We still need to see that the status of the people is secured. For that reason, I felt that I needed to come back,” she told this reporter.
Rahall and Christensen praised the guest workers for their unity.
