United we stand, divided we act: Part 3

After four long years of struggle, long-term foreign workers are now on their way to achieving their dream. S. 2739 or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 is now Public Law 110-229, extending federal immigration to the islands. The CNMI House Bill 16-86, which proposes to allow eligible foreign workers to live and work at will in the Commonwealth is now scheduled for public hearing on June 12, 2008.

It is true that a sizeable number of foreign workers can only qualify for H-visas or temporary work permit under federal law, but let us not stop there. The fight is not yet over. CNMI House Bill 16-86 or “The Resident Foreign National Status Act of 2008” is knocking on our door. Let us open wide our door and see the bountiful message it brings for us. Under the proposed bill, a foreign worker may apply for a resident foreign national entry permit if he or she has lived legally in the CNMI for at least five years and has met character requirements. The bill does not offer permanent residency, resident status, citizenship, or nationality to a resident foreign national. However, the bill will allow long-time foreign workers to stay for five-year periods in the CNMI. Long before May 9, 2008, we were fighting for federalization; now that we are waiting for the transitional period of effective date we are still fighting for how to qualify for an H-visa. Are we among the sizeable number of foreign workers that will qualify for H-visa? Maybe yes, maybe no? Therefore, the answer is H.B 16-86.

Did you examine yourself if you are qualified for H-visa? Did you read the full text of the federalization bill before you joined the shouting on the street for approval of the federalization bill? If yes, then why are you crying when you learned that you are not qualified for an H-visa because you don’t have the required educational background, length of experience and legal status? Let us not claim victory in the fight that is beyond our control. We are not the one holding the gavel that we can strike any moment when the arguments are over nor are we the one holding the pen that, in one stroke, will change the life of foreign nationals in the CNMI. Let us not claim victory if victors are suffering from fear of being deported due to the unavailability of employers during the transition period. That is why, fellow foreign workers, Ms. Tina Sablan’s bill, H.B. 16-86 (supported by four other lawmakers) is the right tool for the recommendations of the CNMI Governor after two years’ enactment on PL 110-229.

We must now focus and concentrate on how the federal government will draft the rules and implementing guidelines in favor of long time foreign workers. The CNMI government will play a vital role in the formulation of regulations under the guest workers program. It is important that we have to secure our status on the islands prior to the transition period.