Sablan told the officers and members of the NMI Women’s Association that green cards or “instant” U.S. citizenship for guest workers is not exactly what he is working on because even if he would suggest it in Congress, “I won’t be successful.”
He told reporters again yesterday during the economic restoration summit that the U.S. Congress won’t give long-term guest workers an automatic green card.
But he said he will try to help nonresidents married to U.S. citizens; those who were granted CNMI permanent residency from 1977 to 1981; and the 92 individuals who were born here between 1974 and Jan. 7, 1978.
Sablan said this has been his position all the time and has never changed.
But in last year’s election, he added, “so many lies” were spread about his position on this issue.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan and one of the members of the women’s group, said the indigenous population may become a minority in their own commonwealth if the IR’s and CNMI permanent residents become U.S. citizens.
Sablan said nonresidents married to locals “are our families, too.”
“I will do my best to help these individuals because it’s my conscience that tells me that is the right thing to do,” he added.
These nonresidents married to locals and have U.S. citizen children will be deportable after Nov. 28, 2011 if they are not granted improved status, Sablan said.
Most of them could not meet the income threshold to apply for permanent U.S. residency.
Sablan said he personally knows a local person who is married to and have children with a nonresident who is seriously ill.
This ailing spouse, he added, will be separated from her family if she does not get improved status before Nov. 28, 2011, when the CNMI umbrella permits expire.
Sablan said he will be answerable to God if he does not do something to help these families stay together.
“I am not participating in something that breaks up families. I have to protect them so they can stay here,” he said.
Different proposal
In a briefing with reporters after he delivered his remarks at the economic restoration yesterday, Sablan reiterated his stand.
He said he has drafted legislation that is different from what the CNMI Senate is recommending regarding the future status of guest workers.
The senators are proposing an immigration status similar to what was granted by the U.S. to the citizens of the Freely Associated States. FAS nationals can reside, study or work in the U.S. and its territories.
Sablan acknowledged the CNMI senators’ effort, saying “they did their obligations to their constituents.”
However, he added, “the atmosphere in U.S. Congress with regard to anything involving immigration is not very good.”
The piece of legislation he is preparing may have a better chance, he said.
It will benefit IR’s, CNMI permanent residents and those born here between 1974 and Jan. 7, 1978.
