Scarlett: DOI can listen to Dekada but…

While saying that the Department of the Interior has no direct position on Dekada, deputy secretary-designee P. Lynn Scarlett said that the agency would want “to understand the issue.”

“We’re more interested in trying to understand the issue, understand the perspective of the CNMI government on that, make sure that the CNMI government’s view is incorporated into any discussion that may occur,” said Scarlett.

She said that Dekada’s goal of improved immigration status in the CNMI is beyond DOI’s jurisdiction, but she said that Interior could help bring this up with other agencies.

“Obviously, immigration issues are larger than the department. They are primarily driven by other agencies. We work with them. We dialogue. We view our role being a good listener to the voices, issues, concerns, or perspective of island governments, ensuring that those perspectives are brought before the relevant agencies that ultimately determine immigration policy,” said Scarlett, who visited Saipan recently for a two-day business conference.

Last year, DOI deputy assistant secretary David Cohen said that while he has great sympathy for Dekada members—nonresident workers who have stayed in the CNMI for 10 years and up—they should not be misled that their long stay would somehow improve their chances of becoming U.S. citizens.

He said the nonresidents’ primary purpose in the CNMI is to work.

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio had agreed, adding that the U.S. Congress can only grant U.S. citizenship, but not permanent residency status to aliens.

Last week, in his annual report to the Legislature, Tenorio said that Dekada may have valid concerns in pushing for improved immigration status for its members and called on local leaders to meet with the group to address their concerns.

“The members of this group may have valid concerns about their employment status within the CNMI, and we must acknowledge that many in this group are valued employees who have contributed to the success of many local businesses,” Tenorio said.

He, however, reiterated his belief that Dekada members do not have a chance to obtain U.S. permanent residency status.

“So if there is a genuine concern among the Dekada group for an improved local working and employment conditions, which they do not enjoy now. I call on our local leaders to sit down with this group and try to map out a policy for enhancing their well-being within the framework of our local laws,” he said.