Pete A. defends federalization stance

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio defended yesterday the pro-federalization stance that he said had made him somewhat of an outcast in the Commonwealth’s political community.

Tenorio, in his State of the Washington Office Report, said that he only decided to work with the U.S. Congress on the immigration “federalization” bill to make sure the legislation took into account the concerns of the local community.

He added that he would not have supported the bill if it did not include special provisions on the tourist visa waiver program, exemption from temporary work visa caps, protection for foreign investors, the transitional CNMI-only guest worker program, and special consideration for student visas.

The immigration bill has been passed by both houses of Congress. It will become law once signed by President George W. Bush.

The Fitial administration and the private sector have warned that the bill would further hurt the CNMI’s struggling economy. They believe that a federalized immigration system would make it difficult for the CNMI to hire alien workers to fill jobs in the islands. They also fear the CNMI will lose its edge as a destination for Russian and Chinese tourists.
The federalization of the local immigration system, Tenorio noted, has been one of the most bitterly debated issues in CNMI history. He expressed regret about the division that the bill had created in the community and the economic anxiety it had caused the government and the businesses.

Even his personal relationships were not spared by the debate over federalization, Tenorio said.

“Frankly, at times, because of my strong position on this issue, I felt like I am a stranger among friends and political colleagues when on island,” he said.

But he added that he did what he believed ought to be done. “I knew I had to take decisive leadership and participate in the process because without input from the CNMI, I believe that any attempt to federalize CNMI’s immigration could have disastrous consequences,” he said.
Judging by the governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has no intent to make nice with Tenorio.

He took a swipe at Tenorio for allegedly failing to communicate the CNMI’s needs in the nation’s capital. “During the last eight years, we have done a dismal job in Washington in educating members of Congress and their staffs about the Commonwealth—its location, history, and needs,” said Fitial.

Tenorio represented the CNMI in Washington for the past six years.

Fitial added: “During the past 16 months, representatives of the business community and my administration have met with representatives of more than 45 members of Congress. Time and time again, they were told that these offices (and members) had never heard of the commonwealth. Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that we were not able to muster any significant support in dealing with our minimum wage and immigration issues.”

The governor also said the CNMI government in the future must do better in forging ongoing relationships with congressional members and their staffs.

He said that having delegate in Congress may help, “if we elect someone who has the energy and ability to put into the new job.”

Tenorio has come out publicly about his interest in the delegate position.

A lawmaker, who has also supported federalization, said Fitial’s attacks on Tenorio were uncalled for. “The governor was very unfair toward Pete A. If the resident representative had not taken a middle-ground position on federalization, the bill would not have turned out the way it had,” said Rep. Tina Sablan.