green country shooter
02-23-2006, 07:00 PM
My town suddenly has a population of Micronesians, many of whom don't speak English. I don't know much about them. Searching on the internet I found that some were brought here to work in nursing homes, and that they come from a U.S. trust territory and so don't need any special papers to live and work here.
I know one young man from this group who is very pleasant, but in general they are creating a minor crime wave. The men apparently believe it's OK to beat their wives, and don't seem afraid of the police at all. The men for the most part don't work and live off the women.
Some of young men rent commercial space, live in it, and have parties all day long, including urinating on the sidewalk in front of the store. They can be quite intimidating, and have attacked law enforcement officers on several occasions. One of the local churches is having problems because a large group come to the services, talk all through the service, and push people around.
What's going on? Do any of you have any experience with Micronesians?
I found this on line. It’s advice to Micronesians who are coming to the U.S., and it’s pretty illuminating. Apparently in the Micronesians if you are drunk when you commit a crime you aren’t punished. This is just an excerpt.
http://www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/socprobs/frames/theanthropfr.htm?http&&&www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/socprobs/theanthrop.htm
The Risks in Breaking the Law
Heavy drinking and public drunkenness is much more frowned upon in the US than it is on the islands. Drinking and driving, for example, is against the law in the US, its territories and possessions. Driving under the influence of alcohol carries with it a severe penalty. And offenses committed while drunk such as fighting, destruction of property, malicious wounding and sexual misconduct are not forgiven.
Domestic violence is another matter in which Micronesians are prone to run afoul of while living in the US. Although regarded as a family affair in most island communities, the beating up of a wife is against the law in the US. Even if the defendant forgives the offender, some states will nevertheless proceed in prosecuting the offender. Disciplining a child (including your own) by whacking him or her with a belt may be a practice condoned in Micronesia, but it can get you into a lot of trouble in the US. If you are suspected of child abuse or neglect, the state can and will remove children from your custody. People convicted of abusing children, including parents will be thrown in jail. There is, for example, the father who disciplined his twelve-year-old daughter with a belt. When the child went to school the next day, she was immediately taken into custody by social workers. Apparently the spanking had left some belt marks on the little girl. The teacher who saw it, fearing child abuse, called social services. Or there is the example of the husband who came home in a drunken stupor and beat up his wife because dinner wasn't ready. In both cases the men ended up in jail. Unbeknownst to them, they had broken the law and as a consequence were incarcerated.
Remember that things are different in the US, especially when it comes to law enforcement. We should always bear in mind that in all matters, the Micronesian custom and traditional methods of forgiveness are not accepted and not recognized by law enforcement authorities in the US. You may know the police chief in your own island and so feel safe, but things will be different in the US. It is important that we be mindful of the fact that as we enter the US or it's possessions, we do so as "guest" and are therefore obliged to follow their laws and a host of other invisible "rules" that guide cultural behavior. The advice given by the FSM Consulate Office in Washington that "FSM citizens must keep in mind that FSM laws, customs, attitudes, and way of life do not apply in the US and its territories and possessions," should be heeded. We would do well to remember that the privileges and benefits accorded us by our host country, when abused, can be limited or taken away.
Deportations are now becoming common occurrences among Micronesians abroad. Micronesians caught in such situations are at a loss for what to do or what their rights might be. In most cases, alcohol seems to be the common denominator. The consequences of alcohol use or abuse are numerous. Accidents happen and fights are wont to erupt among Micronesians when intoxicated. All of these entail a criminal record, which can and will profoundly effect employment, school, and family. For those unfortunate few who commit felonies, the immediate consequence is deportation. Once deported, it is highly unlikely that you will ever be allowed to renter the US and its territories again. Additionally, you will be restricted from passing through Guam to get to another one of the islands in Micronesia.
And here is a sympathetic article about the situation of the Mircronesians who come here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.indent16sep16,1,4076182.story?coll=bal-local-utility
I know one young man from this group who is very pleasant, but in general they are creating a minor crime wave. The men apparently believe it's OK to beat their wives, and don't seem afraid of the police at all. The men for the most part don't work and live off the women.
Some of young men rent commercial space, live in it, and have parties all day long, including urinating on the sidewalk in front of the store. They can be quite intimidating, and have attacked law enforcement officers on several occasions. One of the local churches is having problems because a large group come to the services, talk all through the service, and push people around.
What's going on? Do any of you have any experience with Micronesians?
I found this on line. It’s advice to Micronesians who are coming to the U.S., and it’s pretty illuminating. Apparently in the Micronesians if you are drunk when you commit a crime you aren’t punished. This is just an excerpt.
http://www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/socprobs/frames/theanthropfr.htm?http&&&www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/socprobs/theanthrop.htm
The Risks in Breaking the Law
Heavy drinking and public drunkenness is much more frowned upon in the US than it is on the islands. Drinking and driving, for example, is against the law in the US, its territories and possessions. Driving under the influence of alcohol carries with it a severe penalty. And offenses committed while drunk such as fighting, destruction of property, malicious wounding and sexual misconduct are not forgiven.
Domestic violence is another matter in which Micronesians are prone to run afoul of while living in the US. Although regarded as a family affair in most island communities, the beating up of a wife is against the law in the US. Even if the defendant forgives the offender, some states will nevertheless proceed in prosecuting the offender. Disciplining a child (including your own) by whacking him or her with a belt may be a practice condoned in Micronesia, but it can get you into a lot of trouble in the US. If you are suspected of child abuse or neglect, the state can and will remove children from your custody. People convicted of abusing children, including parents will be thrown in jail. There is, for example, the father who disciplined his twelve-year-old daughter with a belt. When the child went to school the next day, she was immediately taken into custody by social workers. Apparently the spanking had left some belt marks on the little girl. The teacher who saw it, fearing child abuse, called social services. Or there is the example of the husband who came home in a drunken stupor and beat up his wife because dinner wasn't ready. In both cases the men ended up in jail. Unbeknownst to them, they had broken the law and as a consequence were incarcerated.
Remember that things are different in the US, especially when it comes to law enforcement. We should always bear in mind that in all matters, the Micronesian custom and traditional methods of forgiveness are not accepted and not recognized by law enforcement authorities in the US. You may know the police chief in your own island and so feel safe, but things will be different in the US. It is important that we be mindful of the fact that as we enter the US or it's possessions, we do so as "guest" and are therefore obliged to follow their laws and a host of other invisible "rules" that guide cultural behavior. The advice given by the FSM Consulate Office in Washington that "FSM citizens must keep in mind that FSM laws, customs, attitudes, and way of life do not apply in the US and its territories and possessions," should be heeded. We would do well to remember that the privileges and benefits accorded us by our host country, when abused, can be limited or taken away.
Deportations are now becoming common occurrences among Micronesians abroad. Micronesians caught in such situations are at a loss for what to do or what their rights might be. In most cases, alcohol seems to be the common denominator. The consequences of alcohol use or abuse are numerous. Accidents happen and fights are wont to erupt among Micronesians when intoxicated. All of these entail a criminal record, which can and will profoundly effect employment, school, and family. For those unfortunate few who commit felonies, the immediate consequence is deportation. Once deported, it is highly unlikely that you will ever be allowed to renter the US and its territories again. Additionally, you will be restricted from passing through Guam to get to another one of the islands in Micronesia.
And here is a sympathetic article about the situation of the Mircronesians who come here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.indent16sep16,1,4076182.story?coll=bal-local-utility
