To: Mr. Basil Gooden, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA
Ms. Jacki Ponti-Lazaruk, CIO, Rural Development, USDA
Mr. Joaquin Altoro, Administrator, Rural Housing Service, USDA
Mr. Chris Kanazawa, State Director, USDA Rural Development Hawaii
From: Zaji O. Zajradhara, Concerned Citizen living in the Corrupt CNMI and Advocate and Member for/of Afro-Latino, Black, Seminole, and Native American Communities in the CNMI
Date: May 05, 2024
Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Address Systemic Discrimination and Fraudulent Misuse of Federal Programs in the CNMI
I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the rampant and systemic discrimination against Afro-Latino, Black, Seminole, and Native American communities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) regarding access to federal programs and services administered by the USDA Rural Development.
It has become abundantly clear that the CNMI government actively and intentionally prioritizes non-American citizens, particularly those with CW-1 visas and their “anchor babies”, in the allocation of federal resources. This comes at the direct expense of legitimate American citizens, including indigenous and relocated individuals from the mainland, who are routinely denied access and face significant barriers to participation.
Evidence of Systemic Discrimination and Fraud:
CNMI Article XII: The CNMI Constitution, specifically Article XII, Sections 1-6, blatantly restricts land ownership to individuals of “Northern Marianas Descent”, creating a system that excludes and disadvantages those who do not meet this narrow definition. This creates a significant barrier for relocating Americans seeking to establish roots and businesses in the CNMI.
Discriminatory Practices in Business and Housing: My own experience, along with countless others, has revealed a disturbing pattern of discrimination in accessing business loans and housing opportunities. Banks routinely deny loans to minority Americans, while the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation prioritizes family members of its employees over individuals with genuine needs, leaving many on impossibly long waiting lists; further, the NMHC will do NOTHING regarding overt Commercial Discrimination-citing ARTICLE 12.
Misuse of CARES Act and other Federal Funds: The recent desk review conducted by the Treasury OIG (OIG-CA-23-039) exposed significant issues with the CNMI’s use of CARES Act funds, including $11.1 million in questioned costs due to lack of supporting documentation and potential ineligibility. This demonstrates a blatant disregard for federal guidelines and raises serious concerns about mismanagement and potential fraud.
Rampant Visa Fraud: The CNMI has a documented history of visa fraud, as evidenced by numerous cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. This creates a system where federal resources intended for American citizens are diverted to individuals who are in the CNMI illegally.
Collusion and Corruption: Instances like the sentencing of the former president of the Manpower Agency for visa fraud and the investigation into the CNMI's use of ARPA funds highlight the deep-rooted corruption within the government and its willingness to collude with foreign entities to defraud federal programs.
Call to Action:
The USDA Rural Development must take immediate and decisive action to address these issues and ensure equitable access to federal programs for all American citizens in the CNMI.
This includes:
Conducting a comprehensive audit of all USDA Rural Development programs in the CNMI to identify instances of discrimination and fraudulent activity.
Implementing stricter oversight and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with federal guidelines and prevent the misuse of funds.
Establishing clear and transparent criteria for program eligibility that prioritizes American citizens and prevents discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
Investigating and dismantling the "familial fraud" networks that have captured control of federal programs for the benefit of a select few.
Providing support and resources to empower Afro-Latino, Black, Seminole, and Native American communities to advocate for their rights and access the programs and services they rightfully deserve.
The current situation in the CNMI is unacceptable and demands immediate intervention.
I urge the USDA Rural Development to take swift and comprehensive action to uphold its mission of serving rural communities and ensuring equal opportunity for all.
Sincerely,
Zaji O. Zajradhara
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