MANY view the federalization of immigration as a problem when it is actually a great opportunity. Federalization of immigration is necessary so that the CNMI government would not carry the cost of running immigration. The CNMI government would save millions of dollars throughout the years to come if the federal government carries the cost of running the immigration system. The CNMI government could use the money saved to create more jobs in other agencies and provide essential services to the people of the CNMI.
Based on our current economic situation, the CNMI government cannot afford to run the immigration system. The federal government would pay for the wages, training, and recruitment of employees. The federal government would also carry the cost of many other things associated with running our immigration system. Immigration employees would be receiving federal wages and get better training. There would be less politics involved with our immigration system since it would be controlled by the feds.
Guam has a much higher minimum wage and their immigration system is controlled by the federal government, yet their economy is better than the CNMI’s. Many people from the CNMI have moved to Guam because they do not want to work for $3.05 an hour. It is time to federalize the CNMI’s immigration system. Let’s not spend on what we cannot afford.

JESSE TORRES
Kagman, Saipan