The Pilipino Contract Workers Association and the Human Dignity Movement will also join the “walk-in” with the United Workers Movement.
Korean Association on Saipan president Jong HoLee told Variety they are seeking improved status that will lead to U.S. citizenship.
One of the Chinese investors on Saipan, who declined to be named, said they appreciate the CNMI Senate for considering the future status of nonresidents in the commonwealth.
“We may have a different view regarding the Senate proposal but we’re not losing hope that the U.S. Congress will take action on the U.S. Department on the Interior recommendation,” he said.
The local Senate will recommend the granting of CNMI residency status to long-term guest workers in 2013. Interior recommends improved immigration status, which includes the granting of U.S. citizenship to qualified guest workers.
The U.S. Congress has to pass a law to implement any of these recommendations.
Pilcowa president Ronnie Doca urged guest workers, nonresident investors and members of the community who will attend the hearing to bring written testimony which, he said, will be submitted to the U.S. Congress.
He said participants are also encouraged to bring signs and banners supporting green cards and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
“This would ensure that families would not be split apart, businesses would benefit from a stable labor pool of skilled and reliable workers, and the economy would recover,” Doca said
Human Dignity Movement president Itos Feliciano said they want to go on record in protesting the “untruths” in the draft Senate report.
“We want the U.S. Congress and all American citizens to know that the legal foreign workers in the CNMI want to join the American family as full U.S. citizens after living and working in the CNMI for years and decades,” he said.
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