Ogumoro, one of the leaders of the group, said when she asked Sablan where do Carolinians and Chamorro stand in his proposal, she was just concerned about locals “being taken out of the picture.”
Ogumoro was among those who fielded Sablan questions about submerged lands and federal immigration issues during a forum at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center.
Sablan told the women’s group about his proposal in the U.S. Congress that will give improved status to nonresidents married to locals, CNMI permanent residents and those who were born here from 1974 to Jan. 7, 1978.
“What happens then to the Carolinians and Chamorro?” asked Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan.
Sablan said the issue has nothing to do whether one is Carolinian-Chamorro or not.
“These nonresidents are our families, too,” he added.
In an interview yesterday, Ogumoro said “in any decision that we are going to make or whatever it is that we are working on, we should never leave the Carolinians and Chamorro out of the picture. We should be very concerned about their welfare as well.”
Considering the well-being of the CNMI’s indigenous people “is a very important component of whatever it is he is trying to do,” she added referring to Sablan.
She said he does not know how many IR’s and permanent residents are here right now but whatever it is that Sablan is doing in the U.S. Congress, “he should be mindful of the well-being of indigenous people whom he represents.”
She added, “If these nonresidents qualify under U.S. law there’s nothing we can do. But what I’m concerned right now is how it is going to impact the lives of Carolinians and the Chamorros.”
