By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

ONE of the CNMI’s “founding fathers” on Friday criticized the lack of consultation between the federal and commonwealth government regarding local minimum wage and immigration policies.
Former Marianas District Legislature president Vicente N. Santos said Article IX, Section 902 of the CNMI’s Covenant with the U.S. provide for consultation “on all matters affecting the relationship between them.”
Santos, who was the vice chairman of the Northern Marianas panel that negotiated the Covenant with the U.S., spoke at the “No Federalization Without Consideration” rally at American Memorial Park on Friday night.
Santos said the U.S. Congress is making a “drastic move” in pushing for the federalization of the local minimum wage and the end of CNMI control over immigration.
“(Those in Congress) think they’re doing what is best for us, but they’re actually giving us a big problem,” he said.
He added, “Our immigration laws have improved a lot.”