Introduction
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory in the Pacific, has quietly become a significant vulnerability in America’s national security landscape. While much attention is focused on the southern border, a disturbing trend is emerging in the Pacific: a well-organized network facilitating the illegal infiltration of Chinese and Filipino nationals into Guam, a strategically vital U.S. military hub. This infiltration is facilitated by a network of CNMI residents, boat owners, and captains, yet despite clear evidence, there's a marked lack of serious investigation by the CNMI government and law enforcement. This alarming inaction raises profound questions about the CNMI's commitment to U.S. national security interests and exposes a dangerous gap in our nation's border protection, necessitating a far more robust and proactive approach to immigration enforcement. The long-term implications of this inaction, coupled with increasing concerns about fiscal irresponsibility, perceived judicial leniency towards immigration-related crimes, and the growing influence of foreign entities, demand immediate and decisive action.
The CNMI: A Gateway for Illegal Entry - Exploiting the Visa System
The CNMI's current visa policy, designed to boost tourism, allows certain nationalities, including Chinese citizens, to enter for up to two weeks without a visa. However, this seemingly innocuous policy has become a key vulnerability, exploited by those seeking to enter the United States illegally. This two-week visa waiver is, in reality, a highly exploitable point of entry for individuals intending to bypass normal immigration protocols and seek illicit entry into Guam. Open-source reports, suggest a well-established transportation network of CNMI residents, boat owners, and captains operating a clandestine network, illegally transporting people from CNMI to Guam for profit. This is not a case of isolated incidents, but a systemic problem that has been allowed to fester unchecked, often in the shadows, out of sight from U.S. authorities.
This illicit activity raises considerable red flags, yet there is a reported absence of any serious investigation by CNMI authorities. Instead of investigating these networks, their financial backers, and associated parties, local authorities have seemingly turned a blind eye, allowing this illegal activity to continue unabated. This inaction is not only a failure of governance but a potential threat to the United States and its national interests. As one Guam resident, who asked to remain anonymous, stated in an interview, "It's clear to anyone with eyes that these boats aren't just fishing. How can the authorities not be aware of what's going on?" The failure to investigate these open and obvious violations demonstrates a clear lack of diligence and a potential dereliction of duty, raising serious doubts about the priorities of CNMI law enforcement and government officials. Furthermore, the seemingly casual attitude toward such violations suggests a potential underestimation of the threat by those in charge, as well as questions as to whether these individuals may be complicit in this behavior.
The National Security Implications - A Strategic Vulnerability
The infiltration of illegal workers into Guam, particularly those from China and the Philippines, represents a significant and undeniable national security concern. Guam hosts several critical U.S. military installations, including Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base, and other strategic facilities. The presence of undocumented individuals, especially those from countries with geopolitical tensions with the United States, heightens the risk of espionage, cyber security breaches, and other potential threats. The potential for this kind of infiltration to undermine U.S. national security is too serious to ignore and requires immediate and decisive action. As Guam Delegate James Moylan stated, "While we understand there are those who are entering the island to seek better opportunities for themselves and their families, when it comes to an ongoing migrant influx...there are certainly apprehensions when considering that bad actors could exist," highlighting the potential for individuals with nefarious intentions to exploit the situation. The clandestine nature of these entries also raises concerns, as it enables individuals to bypass standard vetting procedures, creating a blind spot in our nation's defenses. The U.S. military, as well as our national security apparatus, is dependent upon being able to properly track and account for every individual within the territories of the United States, this kind of behavior severely undercuts this capability.
The fact that these individuals are being transported through a clandestine network, instead of going through the proper legal channels, speaks volumes about the organized nature of this activity. The lack of any robust investigation is a dereliction of duty, potentially leaving our nation’s most strategic installations vulnerable. Moreover, the seemingly casual attitude toward such activities suggests a potential underestimation of the threat by those in charge, as well as questions as to whether these individuals may be complicit in this behavior. Furthermore, this illegal activity appears to be occurring in a region with a long history of foreign populations, further highlighting the need for strict and well enforced immigration policies.
Demographic Shift – A 40-Year Trend of Increasing Foreign-Born Populations
Using open-source data from the U.S. Census Bureau, it’s clear that the CNMI has experienced a significant demographic shift over the past 40 years. The data reveals a consistent increase in the number of foreign-born residents, specifically those from the Philippines and China. This demographic trend is also shown in Guam and other nearby territories.
1980: Data indicates a relatively small foreign-born population, with the number of Filipinos and Chinese making up a smaller percentage of the overall population in the CNMI and Guam.
1990: The foreign-born population, including Filipinos and Chinese, began to increase noticeably, especially as the CNMI began to rely more heavily on foreign labor.
2000: A significant increase in foreign-born populations became apparent in the CNMI, with Filipino and Chinese communities growing at a rapid pace.
2010: This trend continued, with the foreign-born population, particularly those of Filipino and Chinese origin, forming a substantial percentage of the CNMI’s population.
2020: The data shows that the foreign-born population in the CNMI had reached a significant level, with Filipino and Chinese residents continuing to represent a substantial portion of the population.
These figures demonstrate a clear, long-term trend of increasing foreign-born populations, with Filipinos and Chinese residents making up a considerable part of that growth. These trends are especially visible in the CNMI, and call into question the current legal and enforcement infrastructure.
The Need for Enhanced Visa Vetting - Reforming the System
The current visa waiver program for the CNMI must be critically reevaluated and reformed, with a focus on closing the loopholes that allow for abuse and exploitation. A more comprehensive and stringent vetting process is needed for all visa applicants, with particular scrutiny given to those from China and the Philippines. This includes increasing funding for the USCIS and DHS, to allow for more extensive background checks and interviews. The use of advanced technology is required to detect fraud and malfeasance in applications. These vetting processes need to be coupled with an updated and well-funded tracking program at USCIS/DHS, to provide an audit trail for every individual entering the United States and its territories using a visa. This type of increased tracking is essential to identifying and tracking down any individuals who have overstayed their allotted time or have entered through false or deceptive means.
The current system, as it stands, is clearly insufficient to ensure the safety and security of American citizens and interests. We must move beyond a reactive approach, and instead, implement proactive measures to address the fundamental issues in the CNMI’s visa and immigration protocols. Moreover, this must be an integrated effort that also includes the military, and other relevant agencies in a comprehensive defense plan.
The Problem of Inaction - A Failure of Governance
The inaction of CNMI authorities in addressing this crisis is deeply concerning and, in the eyes of many, inexcusable. The scale of this illegal immigration activity, coupled with its organized nature, makes it exceedingly unlikely that local authorities are unaware of what is occurring. There can be a lack of transparency and accountability within local CNMI government. It must be explored if this inaction is a result of incompetence, negligence, or potential complicity. In either case, it demonstrates a breakdown of governance and a severe dereliction of duty, raising serious questions about the commitment of CNMI officials to U.S. interests. As one former CNMI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: "There is a culture of turning a blind eye to things that are uncomfortable. It's not that they don't know what's happening, it's that they choose not to see." Regardless of the reasoning, the result is a clear threat to national security. The lack of adequate resources to address this problem is not an excuse; it is a symptom of a far deeper, and more systemic, problem stemming from a lack of transparency and the potential for corruption, or worse, from an ingrained preference for foreign labor.
The Role of Congress and the Executive Branch - A Federal Response
The gravity of this issue requires the intervention of both the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch. The situation has gone beyond local control, and requires the strong hand of federal authorities.
Here are the critical steps that must be taken immediately:
Increased Scrutiny of CNMI Programs: Congress must authorize thorough and frequent audits of all federal programs and funding in the CNMI. These audits need to be focused on the identification of misused funds, as well as identifying connections to networks involved in illegal immigration, and any links to the CCP.
Enhanced Cooperation Between Agencies: The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and local law enforcement must establish a coordinated strategy to track down and dismantle these clandestine transportation networks. Intelligence sharing and joint task force operations will be essential to counter the sophisticated nature of this threat, and they must be given the resources to operate efficiently and effectively.
Legislation to Close Loopholes: Congress must revisit the visa waiver program and other pertinent legislation to close the loopholes that are being exploited. The U.S. government must not let any one territory become a blind spot in border security. This must include increased penalties for those who are caught facilitating the illegal movement of aliens. There must be increased penalties, as well, for those who are found to have entered by any deceptive or misleading methods.
Accountability for Local Authorities: CNMI authorities must be held accountable. If they are unable or unwilling to address this issue, the U.S. government must consider withholding funds, freezing assets, and even imposing receivership, if necessary. It is imperative that the U.S. government make it clear that they will not tolerate any level of complicity or inaction on this matter.
Judicial Reform: There needs to be scrutiny of judges and courts, to ensure that the bench is not only free from corruption, but is also aligned with U.S. values, and will enforce the nation's immigration laws. A federal judicial panel should be created to ensure fairness, justice, and impartiality in the local courts, especially when dealing with immigration-related crimes. It is essential that we have judges who understand and respect U.S. law.
The Case of Wenliang Ma and the Question of Judicial Leniency
The case of Wenliang Ma, charged with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, serves as an ominous example of the serious and growing problem in the CNMI. Ma, along with seven others, is accused of pooling money to purchase a boat to transport nine Chinese citizens without valid U.S. visas from CNMI to Guam. The boat was said to have been purchased for $32,000 on Saipan. This brazen act, which occurred without detection by CNMI authorities, underscores the lack of diligence and effectiveness of the local enforcement agencies. Ma's subsequent no-show at his trial, and his current unknown whereabouts, highlights the inadequacy of a system that is incapable of holding criminals accountable, especially those who are brazen enough to defy U.S. law in such a public and organized manner. The case raises questions about the competence of law enforcement and the judicial system in the CNMI.
Furthermore, the issue of judicial leniency has been placed into stark relief by several cases in the CNMI. The case of Steven Villagomez Pangelinan and William J. Cabrera, who both pled guilty to the charge of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, has raised serious questions. According to the indictment against Pangelinan and Cabrera, 21 illegal aliens from China paid $4,500 each to be smuggled into Guam by boat. As detailed in the indictment, “Given the number of passengers, two boats operated by four total boat crew (two crew members on each boat) were utilized to facilitate the transport. The boat passage commenced from Saipan at night and took approximately twelve hours to complete the journey of approximately 100 nautical miles (115 statute miles) to Guam. Upon arriving at Ritidian Point on the north shore of Guam, the two boats took turns pulling up to the reef line so the Illegal Aliens could jump off the boat and swim and wade to shore. After dropping off the Illegal Aliens, the two boats departed Guam and returned to the CNMI.”
This is a large-scale organized crime, and demands a harsh penalty.
The case becomes even more troubling when you learn that Pangelinan and Cabrera were recently cited for violating their release conditions after testing positive for methamphetamine. While it is important to note that Pangelinan, through his attorney Bruce Berline, contested the test results, Judge Manglona found that Pangelinan violated his conditional release but did not revoke his pretrial release conditions. Instead, she modified and included home confinement and electronic monitoring as part of his pretrial release conditions. This decision by Judge Manglona, as with similar decisions in other immigration-related cases, raises serious questions about her commitment to enforcing federal laws and holding offenders accountable.
The perception of the courts being “soft on immigration” crime, including illegal transportation, sends a message of tolerance, rather than deterrence, and emboldens those who would seek to violate U.S. law.
The perception is that Judge Manglona has repeatedly shown that she seems to favor “progressive” sentencing structures, minimizing the seriousness of immigration-related crimes, and undercutting the efforts of law enforcement, leaving those in charge, and those charged with upholding our laws, seemingly without a clear mandate to do so.
CNMI Legislation – Prioritizing Foreign Labor over American Workers
Open-source research, including analysis of the CNMI legislature's website, reveals a concerning trend: a body of laws that heavily prioritize the importation of foreign workers over the interests of American workers and national security. This is particularly troubling when combined with the aforementioned concerns about illegal immigration and a potential lack of fiscal accountability. Current CNMI law actively promotes the importation of foreign workers, especially medical professionals and other skilled labor, without seemingly considering the long-term impact on U.S. national security and worker protections. While addressing the need for specific skills, the legislation does not always appear to emphasize the need for stringent vetting procedures or prioritize American workers first. The emphasis on importing workers at the expense of local residents is further undermining the economy and creating a system that is dependent upon federal funds and foreign labor.
The CNMI legislature has also failed to implement policies that would encourage self-sufficiency and fiscal responsibility. The lack of a remittance tax, coupled with a permissive approach to immigration, creates a financial system that benefits foreign interests, rather than domestic ones. This approach is unsustainable and must be reversed immediately.
The Controlling Grip of Tan Holdings
Furthermore, open-source research reveals the pervasive influence of Tan Holdings, a powerful corporation in the CNMI, whose activities need thorough scrutiny. Tan Holdings has been a staunch supporter of Delegate Kilili-Sablan for many years, with public records indicating that they have been contributing to his campaigns since the early 2000s. This long standing political and financial relationship raises serious questions about Kilili-Sablan’s impartiality and commitment to serving the best interests of the American people, rather than those of special interests. The company, with its extensive holdings and reported influence within the CNMI political landscape, further complicates the situation and calls into question its intentions. This long-standing political relationship, along with Tan Holding’s influence in the region, raises very serious questions about the CNMI’s allegiances and its commitment to U.S. security interests. Any entity with this level of influence must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that their activities are not in conflict with U.S. law and American interests.
A Call for Action – Demanding Answers
The situation in the CNMI has become a serious national security issue that is directly threatening American interests. The United States must act decisively to secure its borders, protect its military installations, and safeguard the best interests of its citizens. The current pro-American-first stance requires a system that effectively vets individuals entering the United States and its territories and holds accountable those who would exploit and undermine our sovereignty and security.
In the words of delegate candidate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, as she previously stated, "It’s mind-boggling how Chinese tourists are welcomed in the United States of America and good for the American economy, but it is a national security risk for the CNMI," highlighting how the current policies may be detrimental to national security.
The time for inaction has passed.
We must demand answers from those who are charged with protecting us.
Contact your representatives in Congress and demand that they take action to secure our nation's borders and put an end to this clear and present danger.
The security of our nation, and the integrity of our laws, hang in the balance.
The time for action is now. We must demand that all members of the judiciary, especially in immigration-related matters, are held to the highest standards of impartiality and fairness.
We must also demand greater transparency and accountability in all federal spending, and we must hold accountable those who would seek to defraud American taxpayers. The influence of entities like Tan Holdings, along with their political allies, must be thoroughly investigated and held to account, and we must ensure that our territories and possessions are free from undue foreign influence.
Concerns about CCP Influence – A Geopolitical Threat
The materials provided raise serious concerns about the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the CNMI. The involvement of Chinese contractors and organizations, as detailed in the attached letter, requires thorough investigation. Some contractors, with opaque ownership structures, appear to be linked to the Chinese government, which may provide them access to sensitive information and infrastructure projects, raising serious national security concerns.
The alleged role of the United Filipino Organization (UFO), with alleged ties to the CCP, also warrants a full investigation.
The possibility that the CNMI is being used as a platform for Chinese expansionism demands immediate action to safeguard U.S. interests. This situation goes far beyond simple immigration issues and goes straight to the heart of the geopolitical tensions of our time. The CNMI must not become another pawn in the CCP’s overall strategic aims. These issues also touch on the potential infiltration of our political and judicial systems, demanding an immediate and thorough federal investigation. Furthermore, any ties to the CCP in local politics needs to be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Fiscal Irresponsibility and Lack of Accountability – A Systemic Failure
The article highlights, and as detailed in the attached letter, a pervasive culture of fiscal irresponsibility and lack of accountability in the CNMI, resulting in a massive loss of taxpayer dollars. The refusal of the CNMI to implement a remittance tax, allowing untaxed capital to flow to the Philippines and China, demonstrates a lack of responsible fiscal policy and a disregard for U.S. taxpayer interests. The allegations of the abuse of federal funds, especially those from programs like the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, are deeply concerning. As the Ernst & Young audit suggested, $51.96 million in questionable costs is just the tip of the iceberg. The total estimated loss of $550 million, coupled with the lack of oversight and transparency, represents a systematic betrayal of public trust. As one whistleblower stated, "It's a feeding frenzy, and the American taxpayers are footing the bill," highlighting the depth of the problem. The people of CNMI and American taxpayers are due their answers, and those responsible for this corruption need to be brought to justice.
The pattern of corruption and lack of accountability requires a complete overhaul of the existing financial structure and a firm commitment to ensuring that this does not happen again.
About the Author
Zaji “Persona Non Grata” Zajradhara is a staunch advocate for American workers and indigenous rights in the CNMI. Labeled a “persona non grata” by the CNMI government for his relentless pursuit of justice and his outspoken criticism of corruption and foreign influence, Zajradhara has become a symbol of resistance against the forces seeking to undermine American sovereignty in the islands.
As An Unemployed Afro-American resident and father, Zajradhara's firsthand experience with the CNMI’s dysfunctional labor market, its rigged political system, and the exploitation of vulnerable communities has fueled his activism. He has filed numerous legal claims against companies, including Tan Holdings, for violating labor laws and discriminating against American workers.
His unwavering commitment to exposing the truth, challenging the status quo, and demanding accountability has made him a thorn in the side of the CNMI establishment and a target of their efforts to silence him. However, Zajradhara remains undeterred, determined to fight for the rights of American workers and to protect the CNMI from the grip of foreign influence.
コメント