Madam Chair, I come before you wearing one hat, and that is opposing further delays both the implementation and the transitions periods beyond 2014.
Such matters will only prolong further uncertainties and continued corruption in our homeland in terms of Immigration and Labor Control.
The United States Local citizens have all remained silent concerning the current predicaments we all face today but the disastrous affects have been all too painful. Delays portrays a negative outlook and reputation of our homeland to potential investors, or Tourist in these trying economic times and resolution to such delays must be immediately resolved.
We disagree on the issue of granting Citizenship, Permanent Residency or Green cards to foreign non-resident guest workers in our homeland for such an issue is far more sensitive stretching all the way and across the United States and I must remind this Subcommittee that although we are a United States territory, our homeland is not a short-cut to pathways to such statusโs nor is it a stepping stone to one self-interest hidden agendas.
We firmly believe that anyone whom had lived in the CNMI legally well over 10, 15, 20 years should avail themselves through the federal immigration administrative process once implementation takes place. The request for โAmnestyโ by some foreign organizations here in our homeland is also another serious and sensitive matter in the United States itself.
The admittance of foreign organizations that they have now overstayed in our homeland is proof that they are now illegally in United States Territory.
We do recognize that such โAmnestyโ requests had been granted in 1986, but they were addressed on a case by case basis and not as group or a blanket across the board. We further believe that the department of Homeland Security and USCIS here in the CNMI had already clearly addressed and answered all the questions that the non-resident guest workers may have had and is well understood that there are no short-cuts to pathways on citizenship or permanent residency. The decision as to whom should stay and be granted status is best left alone to be determined by both United States Federal Government, in consultation with our Government as intended and stipulated in our COVENANT agreements, for we are in political Union with the United States.
Madam Chair, the negative approach of certain human rights advocates concerning exaggerated human labor abuses, torture, exploitations and so forth has left our homeland with such a reputation far more damaging to our only Tourists based economy or industry that is now hanging by a thread.
Demands for improved immigration status by those that had never been promised any status in our homeland contradicts the call for improved Immigration system since the inception of a Federal Takeover of our Immigration and labor system. In our views and opinions the passage of Public Law 110-229 is already an improvement to ones status in the CNMI.
Madam Chair, I stressfully convey an important message that we are not racist people and we do sympathize with the plight of the foreign non-resident guest workers in our homeland but this is a matter of National Security and Border control and the federal administrative process must be adhered and abided by the non-resident foreign guest workers. It is unfortunate situation that while this foreign organizations and false human rights advocates had all hailed VICTORY to the passage of Public Law 110-229, today as if not satisfied they are still demanding improved immigration status.
Madam Chair the bottom line is that the passage of Public Law 110-229 is an improvement of a broken down Immigration and Labor system in the CNMI.
On the Russian and China Market:
We completely disagree allowing any amendments or a special privilege to such foreign countries simply for no economy is more important than that of the Security of our Nationโs Borders. Again, whole intent and purpose of Public law 110-229 is of National Security.
GREGORIO CRUZ JR.
Taotao Tano President ย
