We now have a voice, says ex-stateless children

“We have now a voice. And like them, we too, are now voters,” said 21-year old Sherlynn Perez, a former “stateless” person.

Sherlynn, together with her sister Shiella, 25, and four other former stateless friends who visited Saipan Tribune yesterday, said they were hurt and offended when they heard that some local lawmakers actually adopted resolutions to deny them U.S. citizenship, hinting that the legislators may have resorted to it to please voters.

“It’s disgusting and upsetting when you learn that people are trying to diminish your efforts. We’ve been fighting for this,” said Sherlynn Perez.

“It’s an election year,” said Shiella Perez. “And we have the right now to decide on their [politicians’] future,” added Sherlynn Perez.

Maria Mendoza, 21, said that being considered U.S. citizens means “we are no longer prisoners on our island of birth.”

The group, which also includes Randy and brother Ryan Mendoza, and Nanette Magallanes, said the news about their citizenship prompted many residents to congratulate them “like we are graduates.”

“It’s like we just graduated and people are congratulating us—our teachers, friends, neighbors, and people who sympathize with us,” they said.

Ryan Mendoza said that their struggle inspired him to translate it into an artwork. The Mendoza brothers presented two banners—one portraying their fight to obtain their U.S. passports and one showing a victory of the group.

Randy Mendoza, 22, said they actually formed a group to formally push for their goal.

They said they are most thankful to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, and Rep. Clyde Norita.

They also gave credit to attorney Rey Yana, Northern Marianas College instructor Sam McPhetres, and the National Christian Forensic Association, whose members had sent letters to their elected officials in the U.S. to support the stateless individuals in the CNMI.

“We’re also thankful for our families and friends who supported us all the way,” they said.

On Monday, the U.S. government decided not to appeal a ruling of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals favoring the granting of U.S. citizenship to the stateless persons.

Ninth Circuit Judge John T. Noonan, in his decision on July 1, 2004, ruled that “anyone born in the U.S. automatically becomes U.S. citizens” He said this is embodied in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which is applicable in the CNMI.

Noonan’s decision reversed an earlier denial handed down by the U.S. District Court in the CNMI on the Sabangan case.

The decision covers only those born in 1978 onwards because it was the year when the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution came into effect in the CNMI.

There are about 200 stateless individuals who are currently on island. Initial estimates showed there were 300 of them, but Mendoza said that some of them have changed status or have already left the islands.