Embedded Files
02/20/25 - Immigration and Customs Enforcement today visited Atkins Kroll Saipan’s Toyota and Lexus Sales and Service Center in Puerto Rico.
It’s the first confirmed case of ICE visiting a business establishment in the CNMI to enforce U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s executive order against illegal immigrants.
In a statement, Atkins Kroll, Inc. confirmed that ICE recently visited its Saipan facility for a voluntary inspection.
“We are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and strict compliance with all applicable laws. We have informed our employees of their rights throughout this process and remain dedicated to supporting them. Atkins Kroll will continue to cooperate with ICE, prioritizing both legal compliance and the well-being of our employees,” said Atkins Kroll Saipan general manager Tracy Guerrero.
In an earlier social media post, former lawmaker Edwin K. Propst warned businesses that ICE was indeed out and about checking on the immigration statuses of CNMI nonresident workers.
“In case you didn't know, ICE is now going into businesses in Saipan asking for papers. If you own or manage a business, be prepared. Also, they aren't only going after violent criminals and drug dealers. That is just a smoke screen. They are going after anyone who is undocumented.”
In a press release dated last Feb. 17, Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem announced a nationwide and international multimillion-dollar ad campaign warning illegal aliens to leave the U.S. now or face deportation with the inability to return to the United States.
“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for securing our border and putting America first. President Trump has a clear message: if you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. But if you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream,” said Noem. “If you are a criminal alien considering entering America illegally: Don’t even think about it. If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome in the United States.”
Foreign worker advocate Carlito Marquez, who also happens to be president of Filipino umbrella group United Filipino Organization, said he heard about the purported raids on local establishments.
“Some are really worried especially those who are out of status. But for those with legal status, I don't hear anything negative from them. To those who are legally employed, we advise them not to panic because ICE is not after them. For them to have a peace of mind, we advise them to bring some documents with you at work just in case there were random inspection unexpectedly,” he said.
Marquez also has this personal advice to those who are out of status but still working in the CNMI.
“For those without legal status, we advised them not to expose themselves out in the open projects. If they wanted to work for a living, they must find work that is not exposed to the public,” he said in a personal capacity.
Knowing he will get a flak for the latter advice, Marquez reasoned most of those working without status just don’t have any other choice.
“Those who are out of status here on the island are over 50 already and they are staying over for a living to support their family back home. If they go home, according to them and that is true, they can no longer find a job due to their age. That is why they opted to stay even though they don't have legal documents.”
As for the official UFO stand, Marquez said, “For some of them, especially those who don't have permanent work, we advise them to go home while they are still on their feet.”
He added that UFO has actually helped those that approached the organization of their intentions to finally go home.
“Two weeks ago, we sent two elderly foreign workers who asked for our help. We were able to secure a plane ticket for them through assistance from the Philippine Consulate General in Guam,” said Marquez.
Marianas Advocates for Humanitarian Affairs Limited president Rene Reyes pretty much echoed what Marquez said in a social media message to MP.
“For legally employed, don’t be much concerned. All they must do is to bring always with them their working permit or any other documents that they possess to prove that they're legally present here in the CNMI. For our kababayans (countrymen) who are out of status, if they think that they are victims of illegal recruitment or their documents are in process, bring also with them documents that can prove it.”
Reyes then advised those who have been in the CNMI illegally for a long time to voluntarily go back to their home countries.
“For those who are illegally present here in the CNMI for a long time and doesn’t have a job to sustain their source of living, much better to voluntarily surrender to ICE and let them decide your case through legal remedy or exit voluntarily.”
Another foreign worker advocate, Malou Berueco, argued that even illegal workers have rights and they should exhaust legal remedies before agreeing to be deported.
"If you're out of status, please know that you still have the right, to remain silent and to have legal counsel. Most importantly, be prepared, we all know, in any country, once you don't have the authority to legally live and work, the chance to be deported is there."
She laments that only nonresident workers with children born sometime before 2011 were afforded permanent status in the CNMI by former delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s H.R. 599 as its sister measure H.R. 560, which would have afforded permanent status to longtime business owners and contract workers without children, was thumbed down by U.S. Congress.
“I feel sorry for those who were not covered by the law that gave CNMI residency for long-term guest workers. I just wish, that congresswomen King-Hinds would create a bill that will give same status, CNMI residency for those who weren't included in the law before just because they do not have children when the bill was passed, or not on that aged bracket yet (for child).”
She said those who fall under H.R. 560 were all legally working at that time and are mostly professionals, health care providers, and skilled workers and to date are still here in the CNMI.
----
Story by Mark Rabago and Thomas Manglona II
Report abuse