My father was a Korean and was here since after the war, and when he applied for a U.S. passport he went to a lot and never got it until he was about 70 years old. No one in the NMI fought for him and he contributed a lot to the community.
Now you’re fighting for these people. I’m a U.S. citizen and I didn’t have to choose between my father’s country and my citizenship because I had freedom of choice whether to live here or in my father’s country.
For those who are babies, parents are allowed to bring their children home, and pay tax to live with them until they are 18, and then, they are sent back here. I mean your parents chose to make you a U.S. citizen. My parents had no choice, because after the war, there was no way. He could not travel without an identity, which he lost during the war.
Who is the United States favoring? The CNMI residents’ wish or guest workers’? Isn’t this going to affect other alien workers in other states? Do you think this would lead to more questions and thoughts among others who are applying for U.S. citizenship in others states?
I am wondering what would happen. Will others sue the U.S. for not giving them the same rights?
What about our economy? Is there anybody out there who is honest enough to step forward and help the CNMI come up with a plan to address these issues? If you’re from another country and want to be a part of the CNMI as an economic planner, wouldn’t this be an encouraging reason?
Contribute by showing the people of the CNMI that you want to be a part of us and not our enemy.
I’ve read painful comments. Wouldn’t it be better if you make comments that would invite others to support you? Wendy’s comments are kind of attacking us while inviting more questions about similar problems happening all over the United States. What if you were us and we are in your country and we are to do the same? What would your government think?
Imagine if residents of the CNMI are trained by you and have all your skills, don’t you think they’ll support you?
I’ve always wondered about the following comments and how they are going to convince the United States Congress to grant U.S. citizenship to nonresidents:
• There are not enough locals who are educated. (What happened to the federal aid sent to help us with our education?)
• The CNMI has a lot of human trafficking problems. (These happen everywhere, so what makes ours special?)
• Local leaders are not smart enough. (Not smart enough for you, but for us, it’s our way, our culture, our belief and our problem.)
• The contract workers helped build the economy. (True, but which part and how?)
• Business activities are declining because of minimum wage hikes. (If these investors cannot afford to pay their employees, then how are they going to contribute to the CNMI economy?)
What if you make comments such as:
• Investors should grant scholarships and training to CNMI residents.
• Minimum wage hikes will help develop our economy.
• Investors should bring in business opportunities for local investors.
• Positive information that invites readers to think positive and provide positive feedback and solutions.
I was reading the news and I felt bad that this U.S. citizenship issue was not looked into before a decision was made, and as soon as it was brought up, many aliens were fighting to get it for free.
The CNMI is our home so why is the U.S. Congress entertaining testimonies for granting citizenships in our home? Because the Constitution and other laws brought to us by the U.S. are written in English and are not in the best interest of Chamorros and Carolinians?
We don’t even have any voting rights in the U.S. Congress. And now they are going to make these people U.S. citizens with voting rights in our home?
For God’s sake, isn’t there someone out there who can protect our rights and educate us about them?
Is it because we are so underpopulated, defenseless, not very well educated and are just making their way up that we are pushed aside and stepped on every time someone from the United States of America comes in with their rights?
Local schools and colleges have to be U.S. accredited. This is good, but how many of their requirements include our language and culture? I wonder about this all the time. Do you?
WINNIE ATALIG
San Jose, Tinian
