Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, was referring to Cruz’s claim that the guest worker groups behind the planned May 1 rally are seeking “amnesty.”
“Amnesty involves the government’s pardon for violation of immigration laws and policies. As far as I know, no one is asking for amnesty,” Sablan said in an e-mail to Cruz.
But in his reply, Cruz insisted that amnesty is the same thing as granting permanent residency across the board regardless of whether an individual is here illegally.
He said it is the May 1 rally organizers who are misinforming “innocent nonresident guest workers with the promise of permanent residency and green cards across the board if they all joined…marches, candle vigils, flower and signature drives.”
But according to Sablan, “what exactly is so wrong or disrespectful about families wanting to stay together, and wanting a stable presence in the community in which they have lived and worked for so many years? What is wrong with me, or any other local citizen, supporting their efforts?”
She added, “Wouldn’t you do the same for your own family? Wouldn’t you at least ask? Believe me, Greg, I would support you too.”
Sablan said “freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition are in fact constitutional rights. No one is trying to take away your rights, or the rights of anyone else.”
The gathering on May 1, she added, “will be peaceful, as all such gatherings have been. There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal about it.”
Yesterday, the Coalition of United Workers, NMI headed by Rene Reyes announced that it will participate in the rally.
Reyes said their group will also have a gathering on Sunday, a barbeque potluck at the 13 Fishermen Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
He said they invited prominent individuals who will discuss local and federal laws as they apply to guest workers.
United Workers Movement, NMI president Raby Syed said besides Sablan, other CNMI officials and politicians have confirmed their participation in the May 1 rally.
