They all want to go to Guam

More people showed up at the Saturday job fair for foreign workers in the CNMI who want to work in construction jobs on Guam than those who joined the Sept. 17 CUC rally. People continued to come and go as early as 12 noon even though the registration was set to start at 1 pm.

Engineers, architects, masons, carpenters, technicians, electricians -- you name it...they all went there to register.

There's no guarantee they will land a job on Guam, but they're trying their luck.

Organizers of the job fair -- the United Workers Movement NMI -- will turn over their database and workers' biodata to the Guam Contractors Association.

They said the big crowd only shows times are hard here that skilled and highly qualified guest workers opt to go to Guam where wages are higher and more opportunities abound. Can't blame them.

While many of the workers who lined up are paid minimum wage here, there are those who have high salaries here but still wanted to try going to Guam.

We won't know the number of job seekers until the organizers complete registration until the end of this month.

'Power to the people' rally

Rep. Tina Sablan talks to the hundreds of people gathered for a peaceful rally to call on the US government to step into the power crisis on Saipan.







Young, old, brown, black, white, yellow join Wednesday night's peaceful rally calling for "reliable and affordable" power for all.












Using a candlelight, Rep. Tina Sablan, one of the leaders of the peaceful rally, reads a prayer for those affected by power outages while the crowd gathers near the stage holding candles and cellphones.

















Need they say more?












Businessman Robert Russell, left, shares his experiences about power outages while protest leader Ed Propst listens.

"Don't hold your breath," but would green cards for long-term guest workers be good for the CNMI?

The following conversation was overheard recently at one of the water coolers here at Saipan Middle Road World Headquarters:

He said: "Did you here that Jim Benedetto said that CGWs shouldn't hold their breath hoping to get green cards?"

She said: "Yeah. He's been pretty consistent over the years in saying that workers shouldn't count on the hope that they'll get green cards."

He said: "OK, but let's forget for a minute about whether it's likely that CGWs will eventually be able to apply for green cards. If they were allowed to apply for green cards, would it be good for the CNMI?"

She said: "I guess that depends on who you are. It would be good for you if you were a foreign worker."

He said: "OK, but what if you were a business owner?"

She said: "Wouldn't most business owners prefer the way things were before the federalization law passed?"

He said: "Maybe, but that's not an option anymore. The feds have made it clear that the CNMI will eventually have to phase out its guest worker program and just follow the federal rules. They'll probably extend the phase-out for at least five years after 2014, maybe more. But eventually it will be phased out."

She said: "So what's your point?"

He said: "The only hope in the long term of business owners being able to keep their best CGWs is to give them green cards. Otherwise, they'll eventually have to leave."

She said: "But if you give them green cards, they can go to Guam or Hawaii or California."

He said: "Yeah, but if you don't give them green cards, they'll eventually have to leave unless they can qualify for a visa under U.S. standards, and some people--although I don't know if I trust these particular people--are saying that most CGWs probably can't. If these people are right, then giving CGWs green cards is the only hope under the new law of being able to keep the best long-term employees. If you're an employer, wouldn't you rather have a chance of keeping your long-term workers, even if they suddenly had more bargaining power and you had to pay them more, than not having a chance to keep them?"

She said: "I guess, but I'd probably like the old system even better."

He said: "Like I said, that's not an option. That's why giving CGWs green cards is probably the best option now for employers."

She said: "What about criminals and people like that."

He said: "They wouldn't qualify. You'd have to meet certain standards, and it would only be a one-time thing for workers who have already been here for, say, five years."

She said: "What about from the standpoint of locals? Do we want Filipinos to take control over our islands?"

He said: "Well, for one thing, that could already happen when their U.S. citizen children are old enough to vote. But if you give them green cards, a lot would leave."

She said: "Well, how would it help the locals?"

He said: "It would help the locals if you didn't have all of this cheap labor. The way things have been, pay is too low outside of government if you're a local, and in order to get a job in government, you have to kiss up to whoever's in power. If you changed the system, maybe locals who have left will come home, and maybe a lot of CGWs would leave to find better opportunities stateside. Businesses would have a shot at keeping the CGWs that they want to keep, but they'd have to compete for them just like employers have to do in Guam."

She said: "Well, I don't think it's going to happen. And also, those workers signed a contract and it was always understood that they would have to go home."

He said: "I know. I'm not saying that it's going to happen. Maybe it will and maybe it won't. And I'm not saying that the workers are entitled to get green cards. I'm just saying that if they did get green cards, maybe it would be the best thing for the CNMI, including the locals and the business owners. And maybe if we all recognized that this would be good for all of us, then we could really unite as a community--locals, businesses, CGWs, even the human rights activists--and lobby for it in Washington. And maybe if we all speak with one voice, rather than contradict each other like we usually do, they'll actually take us seriously for a change."

She said: "Well, if you could get the Chamber and Wendy Doromal and Taotao Tano all holding hands and pushing for this in DC, that might make an impression. But it will never happen."

He said: "Maybe it will never happen. But it should happen."

Poll: Tax Me, Tax Me Not, Tax Me!

Tax me. Tax me not. Tax me.

I guess the Tinian mayor was plucking petals to decide whether his opinion would go for taxing guest workers' remittances to their home countries. According to Marianas Variety report that this suggestion was in lieu of an alternative means to save local and guest workers to be retrenched from companies.

So cast your votes now on our newest poll ------------->

The Reveler

Reunited

Thanks to the effort of the Coalition of United Guest Workers (CNMI) led by Irene Tantiado, Dekada and the Human Dignity Movement have reunited for Saturday night's candlelight vigil in support of President Bush's signing of the CNMI immigration federalization bill.

We hope the unity shown will continue and is not only a publicity stunt, after months of bickering.

Hundreds of workers and their children held banners, placards, and candles as they silently stood beside the road across from Horiguchi Building in Garapan. Passing motorists honked their horn to show solidarity. Smiles were abundant, congratulatory remarks were heard everywhere, champagne was passed around.

Dekada president Bonifacio Sagana and Dekada lawyer Steve Woodruff and Human Dignity Movement president Jerry Custodio, along with Coalition's Irene Tantiado, Rep. Tina Sablan and Ron Hodges were among those in attendance -- all in one place.

The reunited groups vow to work toward a common goal: an improved immigration status for eligible guest workers, whether it's green card or permanent residency.

Over 6,000 signatures have been gathered so far petitioning the US Congress to grant eligible longterm guest workers green cards. The signature drive continues.

Another common goal is to support Rep. Tina Sablan's bill giving a new status to longterm foreign workers to protect these workers between now and the start of the transition period.

President Bush Signs CNMI Federalization and Delegate Bills Into Law

President Bush on Thursday signed into law S. 2739, which includes provisions to bring CNMI immigration under federal control and to allow CNMI voters to elect a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The President's signing of the bill comes as no surprise to most people, since his administration had testified earlier this year that federalization should occur "as soon as possible." However, some in the local administration had suggested that with the recent change of leadership at the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs, the Bush Administration would back off from its strong support for federalization. That notion has proven to be baseless wishful thinking.

Some local officials have presumed to interpret S. 2739 in ways that would be harmful to the CNMI and its residents. Although these local officials have asserted these views with great confidence, their interpretations appear to be out of step with the clearly stated intentions of the U.S. Congress (which, after all, is what counts). Here are some things that Saipan Middle Road's research staff has uncovered in the Senate report on the CNMI immigration federalization bill:

The intent of Congress is "to ensure effective border control and security by extending the INA with special provisions for: phasing out contract workers; minimizing adverse economic effects; recognizing local self-government; assisting the development of the CNMI economy; providing opportunities for locals to work; providing for the continued use of alien workers as necessary; and protecting workers from abuse." The "phasing out" of contract workers can occur over a long period of time, as discussed below, and even after the special guest worker program is eventually phased out, the CNMI will always be able to admit foreigners under the same rules that apply to the rest of the country.

Furthermore, "in recognition of the CNMI's unique circumstances, [the CNMI should] be given flexibility to maintain and develop businesses and...the Government of the CNMI [should be] fully involved in the implementation process."

The bill "would extend the immigration laws of the U.S. to the CNMI along with several special provisions to meet the special needs of the CNMI."

The CNMI's guest worker program will be taken over by the federal government and transformed into a Transitional Workers Program. That program will be separate from the existing federal program where foreign nationals will be enter the CNMI through H visas and other visas. "There will be two similar programs operating in the CNMI."

The Transitional Workers Program is originally scheduled to last through the end of 2014. However, the program can be extended indefinitely for periods of up to five years at a time. The Senate believes that "[i]t is most unlikely that the CNMI will be able to meet its labor needs and forego the Transitional Workers Program in five years. It is expected that there will be at least one, and probably more than one, five-year extension."

During the transition period, there will be no limit on the number of workers who can enter the CNMI (or Guam) on H visas. In the U.S. generally, there is an annual limit of 65,000 H-1B visas for professional and specialty workers, 20,000 additional H-1B visas for workers with at least a master's degree or its equivalent, and 66,000 H-2B visas for temporary non-agricultural workers. The Senate report makes it clear that the intention is "that this waiver of the numerical limitations for Guam and the CNMI is extended along with any extension of the five-year transition period.

With respect to long-term guest workers, the Act would require that "the [U.S.] Administration, in consultation with the CNMI, to report to Congress, no later than the second year after enactment on the population of aliens, status of aliens under federal law, future requirements of the CNMI for an alien workforce, and recommendations on whether Congress should consider permitting such workers long-term status under" U.S. law. No guarantees here, but the issue remains alive.

On fees, the Senate report "encourages the DHS, and all other Federal agencies involved in implementing the transition program period, to keep the costs associated with the transition program period on employers and non-immigrant guest workers at the same level as is currently being assessed by the CNMI government under local law."

On the visa waiver for tourists and other visitors: "The regulations should include countries for which the CNMI has received a significant economic benefit from the number of visitors for pleasure within the one-year period preceding the date of enactment. In drafting such regulations, the Committee encourages DHS to consult with the CNMI tourism industry to determine which tourists markets have contributed to the benefit of the CNMI economy and that such benefit can be measured in terms of hotel occupancy, length of stay, and expenditures." This provides a presumption, although not a guarantee, that China and Russia should be included, and special measures could be adopted to address any security concerns.

The law would also "allow the Governors of Guam and the CNMI to request DHS to create additional Guam or CNMI-only nonimmigrant visa categories if the ones provided for do not meet other circumstances."

The intent of Congress is extremely important in interpreting the obligations of federal executive branch in implementing the new law. If they ignore this intent, it could provide a basis for a lawsuit.

Now that Congress has explained exactly what it intended, we no longer need others to tell us what Congress intended. Unless you believe that these local "experts" know more about what Congress intended than Congress itself. There is no guarantee that this will all work out as intended. There is, however, plenty of good stuff to work with if everyone pulls together to make sure that this is done right. Let's all hope and pray that it will be done right, and work together to make that happen!

Coalition of guest workers

Hundreds showed up in today's general membership meeting of the newly formed Coalition of United Guest Workers (CNMI) at the Garapan Central Park. But they said the word "Guest" will soon be deleted from the group's name, in light of federalization.

The gathering was festive -- lots of Bangladeshis, Chinese, Filipinos and local supporters, free food, free entertainment (live bands, dances). The group now has a formal set of officers led by Irene Tantiado. Jerry Custodio of the Human Dignity Movement is also among the officers.
The guest speaker, Guam-based businessman and senatorial bet Alfredo Antolin's message was that of "patience." He said one year after Bush signs the measure this month and the CNMI immigration will be federalized.

Dekada leaders did not show up, although the coalition has been trying to reach out to them for the sake of real unity -- the same that was shown during December's historic unity march. Maybe in a few days or weeks, we will see one solid group of guest workers in the CNMI.

Well, what are your views on possible longer-term residence status for qualified foreign workers?

In a comment to the immediately preceding post, someone named "Anonymous" requested that we provide a forum for people to discuss their views on possible longer-term residence status for qualified foreign workers. Here at Saipan Middle Road, we know that we owe our phenomenal success to our willingness to respond to the wishes of you, our millions of loyal readers around the world. Your wish is our command.

To help guide our discussion, please see the questions raised in the following public service announcement:

UPCOMING COMMUNITY DISCUSSION FORUMS

TOPIC: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON A POSSIBLE LONGER-TERM RESIDENCE STATUS FOR QUALIFIED FOREIGN WORKERS

WHEN AND WHERE:

Kagman Community Center, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. (Kagman, Capitol Hill, Papago, Santa Lourdes)

San Vicente Elementary School Cafeteria, Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. (DanDan, San Vicente, Kannat Tabla, Fina Sisu)

Garapan Elementary School Cafeteria, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. (San Roque, Tanapag, As Matuis, Puerto Rico, Garapan)

Koblerville Community Center, Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. (San Antonio, Koblerville, Chalan Piao, Chalan Kanoa, Oleai, Susupe)

YOUR OPINIONS ARE WELCOMED:

How many years of successful work in the Commonwealth do you think should qualify a foreign worker for longer-term residence status?

What do you think of social responsibility requirements such as basic English skills and classes in CNMI history?

What kind of financial responsibility requirements do you think would be fair? What other factors do you think should be considered?

* * *

For those of you who just can't wait for the forum to which your village has been assigned, feel free to jump into the discussion now, right here on our pages. And while you're at it, feel free to discuss other, related issues as well:

Are you in favor of longer-term residence status for qualified guest workers?

Does it matter to you whether such status is granted by the CNMI Government or by the Federal Government?

What do you think are the motives of those participants in this discussion who have led the fight against granting long-term status to guest workers in the federalization bill? Whether or not you trust the motives of all of the participants, do you think that there's any harm in engaging in this process?

Does the prospect of longer-term residence status under CNMI law affect your views on federalization?

Do you think that this process has caused division in the community? Has any such division been avoidable? Do you think that guest workers and their advocates who support this dialogue and those who do not can set aside their differences for the good of the guest workers?

Why did they vote that Pinay chick off of American Idol? Is this all part of the same conspiracy?

Inquiring minds want to know what YOU think! Deluge us all with your wisdom and insight!

Meeting to Explore Long-Term Resident Status Under CNMI Law

The following meeting announcement was placed as a comment to an earlier post, but we thought that it should be highlighted for those wishing to attend:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

The following members of the Unity Movement organizers core group, Malou Barueco; Bonnie Sagana of the Dekada Movement; Conrad Ocampo; and Ernest Maicle of MOVER wish to inform the public that there will be a forum on “Long-Term Resident Status: Issues and Possibilities for Change Under CNMI Law” at the Monte Carlo (across from Hopwood Jr. High School) at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, April 2, 2008.All interested foreign national workers, local workers and business people, representatives of the business community, local citizen action group members, and members of the general public, of all races and nationalities, are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.

Anticipated speakers are Dekada Movement counsel Stephen C. Woodruff; well-known attorney Deanne Siemer (best known to workers and long-term alien residents of the CNMI, often controversially, as someone actively involved in labor and immigration matters, PL 15-108, and the new labor regulations); Maya Kara (president of the CNMI Bar Association, former acting Attorney General, former governor’s legal counsel, former lieutenant governor’s legal counsel, and former House Legal Counsel); and Greg Cruz, president of TaoTao Tano. Both Ms. Siemer and Ms. Kara emphasize that they are involved and will speak only for themselves, in their personal capacities, and not as representatives of the government, clients, or any special interest group.

Other speakers may be added, and there will be extensive opportunity for questions, answers, and general discussion.

This forum is NOT about “federalization.” It is NOT about minimum wage. It is NOT about PL 15-108. It is specifically recognized that all parties have their own views and positions on these topics, and agreed that all are free to advocate their positions outside the forum, but that, within the context of the forum, these issues will be put to the side and the focus will be exclusively on the question of long-term alien resident status.

A minimum donation of two dollars ($2.00) per person will be required at the door to cover the costs of use of the Monte Carlo facilities. The two dollar donation also entitles each person to one beverage from the house. Additional beverages may be purchased at usual Monte Carlo prices.

This is the third meeting on the Long-Term Resident status public discussion initiative. The first preliminary, exploratory meeting, involving only a very small group, was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, in the conference room of Atty. Steve Woodruff. The second meeting of 30 to 40 persons was Saturday, March 22, 2008, at the China House restaurant.