Dear Uncle Sam,
We are not really related by blood but I grew up hearing your name from my father. In the years that I was growing up back in our house, my father would tell us stories about you. I imagine from those stories that our ties are very strong because you have been very much a part of the history of our family. My father will always tell us how you give people like us the opportunity to make their lives better and where everybody who dreams and strives to achieve their dreams can succeed.
I still find it amazing that one day, I was already in your house. You accepted me and welcomed me like I’m one of your own children. In a short period of time, I feel like I’m home. I worked hard, followed all your rules, and I contributed to your livelihood to show you my gratitude. I was a good daughter.
Then one day, you decided to impose discipline for reasons that we did not cause and for which we were also the victims. I thought I understood the situation and I supported your decision. Who would not want a change that promised to stop the abuse of my people? I marched and showed you my support.
Years later, I am sad to tell you that a lot of us are already gone from your house. It was not only difficult to feed our own families. It’s even harder to stay because you set a certain number of people who can stay in your house and a rule that entails tedious process and uncertainty on whether we have to stop working or worst, if we have to leave. I have seen friends and family who were brokenhearted because everything that they had built for years all of a sudden were shattered. The only people who stubbornly stayed are those who cannot leave because they already have families here or they don’t have anywhere else to go because they have been here for the most part of their lives and they are afraid that there will be no other place where they can start all over again.
I am writing on behalf of my family and friends who are still in your house, hoping and praying for your mercy to let them become truly a part of your family. Is it not enough that they already lived most of their lives here among your own children? Why do you make them suffer because of all of these uncertainties? You are the only one who can take them out from this dilemma so I am wondering why you are not doing anything. It’s as if you are punishing them. When I talked to you years ago, you already told me that it’s not going to be easy because if you give us a better deal here in CNMI, you also have to give the same to everyone. Fair enough but I will not stop in asking you to look at the CNMI. We are dying. We cannot anymore survive on temporary remedies. We need stability. We need a permanent solution once and for all.
Please do not anymore prolong their agony. After all, they are humans too.
Irene Nepomuceno
Puerto Rico
leave already… good-bye.
you are totally correct, she should get the hell out of Uncle Sams house. The sooner the better hopefully sooner
umm you came to his house for a visit…….he never told you, you could move in and stay forever……….
And actually you came before Uncle Sam took over as house manager. Now you gotta beat to his drum.
Irene, You best look back and read about the reason that all were “allowed” to come to the NMI to wor in the NMI.
It was originally to help train the local workers and then to return home to your country.
The original contract did not allow more than three years extension.
It was the ‘local’ NMI Govt. that collaborated with the private sector that kept renewing your contracts to keep cheap labor..
This was done for over a decade against the “repeated” warning by the Feds against the CW outnumbering the local workers and the undesired consequences that were and did unfold and lead to the situation we have had for many years now.
THAT ignoring of the Fed warnings resulted in the Fed to take over Immigration in order to stop the flow of CW into the CNMI.
This action was to cut down the numbers of CW that was taking jobs away from the local population.
It is the CNMI Govt and the private sector that is at fault for “leading” all of you on and allowing all to stay.
There was NO agreement for all to come and stay here forever by the Feds. If this was sanctioned, after 5 years all of you could have applied for US Cit. as the many annually, that are here under other condition do and get sworn in as a US cit.
This is not much different in you own country in relation to foreigners wanting to stay in the country. Also Foreigners are not generally allowed to work in many of the other countries unless they are brought in by a company that has already employed them in their own country.
It is unfortunate that so many have been here for so long and also many do not have anyplace to return too.
I would suggest that many of you get in touch with your Dept. of Foreign Affairs and a also you OFW Org. to help.
When ever all of the overstays are rounded up and deported from other places your Govt. lends a helping hand upon arrival on your shores.
BTW, I saw in the news the other day that there is a 46% unemployment rate in the Phil. Not good, but many jobs are available for the taking. Good luck and have a safe trip.
BTW life is not fair.
Thank you for sharing this, Irene. There are many of us who feel the same way though do not know how to articulate our struggles. Unfortunately those who are privileged also happen to be fearful racists.