People speak out for and against federalization’s delay

Politicians, business groups, labor groups and other community leaders have long made known their stand on federalization, but the voices of the common people have yet to be heard. They are the lowly public servants, the housewives, the jobless ones, the foreign workers who earn minimum wage and others who are always underrepresented in matters like employment and immigration, be they Chamorro, Chinese, Filipino or Palauan.

Many of them want a June 1 start of transition to a federal immigration system, while others support a 180-day delay as requested by the CNMI government.

[I]“Federalization should start on June 1 to get it over with. With that, we could focus on the things we need to do. We already know it’s going to be done whether we like it now or later. The most important thing now is for our local officials to help their people get settled into the new system. It’s kind of useless always whining about it. Once federalization sets in, we will progress as a whole, not only as Palauans, Filipinos, Chamorros, Carolinians…We should come together so that we can live in harmony in such a beautiful place.”[/I] —Reina Temol, 31, housewife, Palauan

[I]“For me it’s okay to have it on June 1 because now, people here are having difficult time. I think we need the federal government so that the local people can have work.” [/I] —Norman R. Angui, architectural technician, Chamorro

[I]“I don’t mind seeing it delayed. Why? So that the CNMI can be more prepared for the federal takeover. As of now, the CNMI is still in the dark about it. Even the government is in the dark about it.”[/I] —Romeo N. Herman, 43, accountant technician, Pohnpeian

[I]“No more delay. If it’s delayed, many people will leave; I will leave. Business here is very slow.”[/I] —Franco Wu, 30, hair stylist, Chinese

[I]“It should be implemented as scheduled on June 1, so that we can all move on. No more delay tactics.”[/I] —Silvano P. Tataro, 47, mechanic, Filipino

[I]“I want it delayed so people will have more time to adapt, to get their papers ready, and to get used to the idea of federalization. People will also have more chance to be informed about federalization and its effects to them.” [/I] —Damiana Kaipat, 52, retired nurse, Chamorro

[I]“I want it June 1. If federalization comes later, it would be too hard for me. My family is in the U.S. mainland and I can’t join them there because I’m not allowed to get a job there. I can only stay there for six months then I have to leave again. When federalization comes, I can fix my papers and I can work there [U.S. mainland] so I can be with my six children—the eldest is 19 years old and the youngest is 7 years old. I’m suffering over here. If federal immigration is here, I will apply for green card. I also want to say that Amendment XIV of the U.S. Constitution says we should be treated equal. Why can’t I be treated equal? Those in the mainland who have been there for five years can apply for U.S. citizenship. Why can’t I? I’m still an IR [immediate relative] of a citizen.” [/I] —Ansar Ali, 50, taxi driver, Bangladeshi

[I]“Yes I want it delayed but I don’t think what I say will make a difference. I’ve been hearing people saying federalization will make it harder to find a job, and it will be different from what it is now.”[/I] —Jerry Saures, 20, jobless, Chamorro

[I]“I want June 1 because federalization will bring change. Good change. Maybe I can get a U.S. passport.”[/I] —Lee Chu Ja, 50, businesswoman, Korean

[I]“No to any delay. I’ve been here for 21 years. Local immigration law has been given a chance for so many years. But still, self-government is not good. Why also not give a chance to skilled foreign workers to have a better status? They will still be needed in the CNMI. Besides, it’s the federal government, not the local government, that would give them a status.”[/I] —Bernie Tarrobal, 46, hair stylist, Filipino

[I]“I want June 1 because I want to know very soon what will happen to me. Maybe I will get a green card (with the help of an English translator).” [/I] —Li Bolong, 49, vegetable peddler, Chinese

[I]“I don’t know if I will benefit from federalization. But I think it should not be delayed. I am not hoping for anything but I want to see if it will really help people. So it should be June 1.” [/I] —Tarum K. Mondal, 36, jobless (with temporary work authorization), Bangladeshi

[I]“I hope it will be delayed because I still don’t know what will happen to me. I’ve been hearing things that once federalization starts, foreign workers will be sent home. I’m not yet ready to go home.”[/I] —Leonida Mangasis, 50, waitress, Filipino

[I]“I really don’t care but it’s good to have it June 1 and not delayed by 180 days. That’s so we can get it over with. Why delay when it’s going to happen anyway?”[/I] —Mahensia Mengloi, 58, housewife, Palauan

[I]“It should be June 1. The sooner [we know what will happen], the better for us, right? I want to know what will happen to workers.” [/I] —Ayu Kade Karmini, 31, masseuse, Indonesian

[I]“It should not be delayed, so we’ll know soon what will happen to all of us. It’s going to happen anyway; why delay it further?”[/I] —Mildred Balatero, 36, beautician, Filipino

[I]“I want federalization on June 1, so I know what will happen to us. That’s all. I just want to know; same as many people here.”[/I] —Yang Yang, 29, masseuse, Chinese

[I] “I want it on June 1 so that we’ll know soon what the U.S. decides. But I hope foreign workers like me will not be sent home just like that.”[/I] —Noel Estella, electrician, Filipino