his or her immigration status. We have to wait and see the rules and regulations for U.S. P.L. 110-229. It is best for us to attend forums and meetings to gather relevant information pertaining to our employment and immigration status.
We are part of the community that is paying high power rates without sufficient power. Our appliances are damaged by the sudden outages but we can’t recover the cost of these damaged appliances.
Can we devote our precious time and resources to express our dissatisfaction with the present political and economic situation? Let us remind the leaders of the islands that we are also part of the community who suffer more than the U.S. citizens.
We are the group of foreign nationals fighting hard to improve our immigration status only to find out that we are not qualified for H-visa criteria under federal law.
During the forum on June 28, the federal labor ombudsman said only a few foreign nationals could avail of H-visas. The organizer and a guest from Guam advised foreign workers to prepare our pertinent documents that will support our quest for improved status.
We are the group that the indigenous people of the islands want to go home, but the CNMI government, especially the Office of the Governor, and the chamber of commerce want us to stay under the current local labor law, P.L. 15-108.
The governor wants to sue the U.S. government for enacting U.S P.L. 110-229.
It is illogical to paddle against the flow of water, the water that keeps you afloat to survive, and the water that supports your living.
We are the group of people that comprised the majority of the labor force on island but they want us to go home now so they can take over our jobs.
A former lawmakers who is now deputy secretary of labor says the department opposes granting long-time foreign workers resident status which she described as “unfortunate and flawed.” So why are they capping the present number of foreign workers?
Local P.L. 15-108 and U.S. P.L. 110-229 are similar — guest workers have to exit after three years. And all local labor and immigration laws will be superseded by U.S. P.L. 110-229 on June 1, 2009.
If they are really sincere in taking over the jobs of foreign workers, why does it take them too long to do it?
Mr. Anthony Pellegrino has opened a trade school on island so that islanders can learn trade skills and the CNMI can reduce its dependence on foreign workers.
During the forum, the representative of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office said that there are other foreign countries that need workers — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Singapore, Taiwan and Guam.
She said we are not in control of the CNMI’s economy and that is why it is best for us to look for other places to work or migrate.
Sun Tzu stated in his “The Art of War” that “opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
Foreign workers perform the jobs required on island. According to the chamber of commerce, without foreign workers, the island’s economy will collapse.
The CNMI government believes that a federalized immigration system would make it difficult for the islands to hire foreign workers who perform critical jobs.
Did we get what we wanted from the federalization law? If yes, then congratulations but if no, I… AM… SORRY!
Congratulations to the Philippine Asia-Pacific Junior and Senior League teams for being the champions. Indeed, you have proven that although you come from a third world country, you emerged number one. To the Philippine Big League team — congratulations too for being patient and displaying sportsman-like conduct. You have shown to the host team your professionalism, courage and respect. I agree with the sports announcer when he said, “I hope the Philippines will participate again in the next Asia-Pacific competition.”
CARLITO J. MARQUEZ
Puerto Rico, Saipan
