Rabby Syed, who obtained a certification in audio/video production from Northern Marianas College in 2005, said he believes that his plan will have a “very strong impact” on the federal government.
“This is how we can be able to show to the federal government the parents of U.S. citizen children with disabilities — their tears and feelings,” Syed told Variety.
During her recent visit in the CNMI, Florida-based human rights advocate Wendy Doromal shot footage of guest workers married to Freely Associated States citizens in the CNMI.
Like Doromal, Syed said he will send copies of his documentary to the U.S. policy makers, hoping that it will result in the granting of special immigration status to the parents of U.S. citizen children with disabilities.
A member of NMC’s Phi Theta Kappa Society, an international scholastic order, Syed said he worked with Steve Rubin, producer and director of “The Pied Piper of Saipan: the Untold Story of Guy Gabaldon,” a World War II hero who later settled on Saipan.
He said Rubin’s crew, which included Syed, filmed footage on Saipan and conducted 17 interviews from June 12 to 15, 2004.
Syed said his plan is supported by the guest workers association on island.
He is a victim hotline volunteer of the Karidat and has served as a Bangladesi interpreter for the Office of the Public Defender.
Irene N. Tantiado, a workers rights advocate, is urging all parents of U.S. citizen children with disabilities to attend the meeting on Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at American Memorial Park, to discuss Syed’s proposal.
She said Syed should be lauded for coming up with “this idea.”
She also urged parents who have immediate relative status to bring their children to the meeting and show their solidarity with the parents of children with disabilities.
