By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

FOREIGN workers who wish to report or verify rumors concerning federalization, obtaining green cards or other immigration concerns can now dial the 24-hour “federalization rumor hotline” set up by the federal labor ombudsman’s office.
The number is 322-HELP or 322-4357.
“The purpose of the 322-HELP line is to allow people to report what they are hearing, so we can investigate and get the word out — using the news media, if need be — about what is legitimate and what is not,” said Federal Labor Ombudsman Jim Benedetto in a press release.
Benedetto announced the hotline on March 25 during Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs David B. Cohen’s meeting with the Filipino community.
He set up the 24-hour rumor line so foreign workers could report what they are hearing about federalization, green cards, or any other immigration issues, and find out if it is true.
Cohen, during his recent visit to Saipan, spoke with many foreign workers, some of whom reported that they had been told they could obtain U.S. permanent residency if they paid a fee to someone.
Others, according to the federal ombudsman’s office, have been told that federalization of CNMI immigration was imminent.
“In times of uncertainty, there are always people who try to take advantage of the desperation of others,” Benedetto said.
Callers may remain anonymous or they may leave a contact number if they wish to get a return call.
“In particular, I urge anyone who is asked to pay a fee for the purpose of obtaining a green card, or of improving one’s chances of receiving a green card, or of being eligible to receive a green card, to call the rumor hotline before paying anything to anybody,” said Benedetto.
“We will either return your call directly or, if we receive a large volume of calls reporting the same rumor, we will answer the question by issuing a press release to the local news media. Depending upon the rumor, we may need a few days to check it out.”
When callers dial 322-HELP, they will hear this message in English, with Filipino and Bangladeshi translations: “This is the federalization tip line. If you wish to report tips or rumors about federalization, green cards, human smuggling or other labor and immigration issues, please wait for the tone and leave a detailed message.”
The hotline comes at a time when the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to introduce legislation extending federal immigration law to the CNMI.
The committee chairman has asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to draft the bill and was given until April 30 to do so.