“My only wish this Christmas holiday is for everybody to have good health,” he said.
“But my special wish for all nonresidents in the CNMI is for them to have improved immigration status,” Gorembalem added. He and other nonresidents attended the Christmas party organized by their leaders and supporters on Sunday evening at the Minatchom Atdao pavilion.
They all have a similar Christmas wish: “improved status.”
That’s our dream, according to Rabby Syed, United Workers Movement, NMI president.
The leaders of other nonresident groups agreed: Human Dignity Movement president Itos Feliciano, Filipino Contract Workers Association president Ronnie Doca, Dekada president Boni Sagana, UWM vice president Jun Concillado and Rene Reyes, Marianas Advocates for Humanitarian Affairs Ltd, or MAHAL, founding president.
Manuel Vilaga and Carlito Marquez also wished for an improved immigration status for all foreign workers. The two are among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in federal court to stop the implementation of the CNMI-only transitional worker final rule.
Sagana, who is also among the plaintiffs, said they are hoping to get a favorable court ruling.
He is also asking Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to understand the plight of nonresidents, noting that the governor’s wife is herself a former guest worker.
Marquez said they will continue to lobby and advocate for improved immigration status.
“I hope we have a brighter and successful New Year,” said Vilaga, a Filipino-American who has a small-scale contracting business on island.
Syed said nonresidents will continue to be united.
According to Reyes, “Although we have many groups and organizations, we have only one goal: the welfare of everyone in the CNMI.”
During the party, Syed said they gave special recognition to at least 40 individuals who participated the month-long prayer vigil outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Beach Road, Garapan.
Concillado said more than 300 nonresidents and supporters attended the event.
He thanked the United Filipino Organization and its adviser Olive Yana and Dyan Miranda of the Philippine Consulate General’s Office.
The group also thanked TSL Foundation, Pacific Trading Company Limited, Joeten Susupe, FGC Construction, Hong Electric, I-Connect, Dolphin Wholesale, LN Market, Numbers International, Rajamsbelle, 999 Market, Transamerica, Auto Marine, RNV Construction, Champstar Electronics, Canton Restaurant, National Office Supply, Marpac, Sherwin Williams, Star Water, Lj’s Market, Apex Remittance, Guangdong, Wimzy Corporation, Happy Market, Modern Stationary, Cool Care, Liza Avendano, Sandjuvy Bar & Grilles, Natasha Oleai branch, Al Cabael- Tropics Realty, D’ Elegance, Manay Nida Bautista, Marthas Store and IT & E.
