“There can be no compromise, no lengthy debate and no more delay,” she said in her message to yesterday’s motorcade participants.
“The U.S. Congress must act swiftly to ensure that all of the people of the commonwealth are given dignity, basic rights and a chance to work together to build the economy and a brighter and more secure future for every person who calls the CNMI their home,” she added.
Doromal said the U.S. should upheld its policy that grants its long-term residents improved immigration status.
“The preamble of the U.S. Constitution begins, ‘We, the people of the United States….’ When you live and work on U.S. soil for five years or more, you are no longer a visitor or a guest, rather you have earned a rightful place to be counted among “the people,” she said.
“You are among the people of the commonwealth. In fact, you, the long-term foreign workers, make up a significant segment of the adult population, if not the majority. Let your voices be heard from the Pacific Ocean to the Halls of Congress. You are the people of the commonwealth!” she added.
Now based in Florida, Doromal said the federalization law, U.S. P.L. 110-229 or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, is a “victory” for the guest workers but their “journey” continues until Congress grants them improved immigration status.
“Many who stood to profit off of the backs of the foreign workers have placed obstacles in our path. Many powerful, well-connected and wealthy officials, lobbyists and business owners opposed us by putting roadblocks in our way. The journey has been filled with barriers, yet we rose up against the oppression, injustice and abuses of the foreign workers to support the bill that held the promise of reform,” she said.
“In the end, it was those who lacked power, connections and money who were victorious. We were victorious two years ago in 2008, and we will be victorious again! We have now reached the final leg of our journey in our quest for justice and reform,” she added.
According to Doromal, guest workers have been denied the right to live with dignity in the CNMI just like the rest of its citizens.
“To grant a status with anything less would be un-American and un-democratic. I have faith that my country will right what is wrong, establish justice and end the disenfranchisement of thousands who have demonstrated their love and loyalty to the United States of America through their labor and as responsible and contributing members of the CNMI community. We will be victorious again!” she said.
“Many of you have lived and worked longer in the CNMI than in your homelands, and yet you remain disenfranchised. Many of you have lived longer in the CNMI than some of the islands’ voters have, and still you cannot vote. Many of you have U.S. citizen children that serve in the United States armed forces, but you cannot even visit the U.S. mainland,” she added.
