By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

DEPUTY Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs David B. Cohen yesterday said the federalization of the CNMI immigration system is not a certainty, and even if it happens, it will not necessarily mean that long-term nonresident workers here will be granted permanent residency or “green cards.”
“It’s not certain what’s going to happen at this time…federalization may not even happen,” Cohen told some 500 members of the Filipino community in a consultation meeting yesterday afternoon at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has been asked by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to draft a bill to federalize the CNMI immigration system, and was given until April 30 to do so.
Giving this role to Interior will help ensure the support of the White House if Congress passes the bill.
Cohen yesterday was asked many questions about the federalization of local immigration: When will it be introduced? When will the takeover happen? Will long-term alien workers be given permanent residency status? Will alien workers be sent home? Will federalization make the CNMI a better place? Is it humane and fair to send home long-term alien workers? How long should alien workers wait to know whether they will be sent home or be given a chance to apply for permanent residency? Should the immigration federalization bill fail, will there be an alternative measure to address the immigration status of long-term alien workers?
Cohen said these questions are impossible to answer now, but assured the Filipino community that its concerns are being heard.
“We are definitely aware of the situation you face,” Cohen said. “The bill will be introduced in the Senate sometime this spring. After that…it’s impossible to tell when it will be acted on.”
The cash-strapped CNMI government, which remains opposed to federalization, has hired a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. to block any legislation in Congress that would extend federal immigration law to the islands.
Federal Labor Ombudsman Jim Benedetto, in his brief remarks to the Filipino community, advised nonresident workers to be cautious because some people may take advantage of this “period of uncertainty” by charging fees in exchange for a promise of a “green card.”
“There’s a saying…that if something sounds too good to be true, it certainly is not true,” he said. “If somebody tells you that if you pay money, you get a green card, that’s not true.”
Benedetto said his office will soon have a 24-hour hotline for those with concerns, questions or tips about labor and immigration issues.
“All you have to do is call the hotline and leave your message. Be a little patient with the hotline. We don’t have the hotline yet but we will publicize the number,” he said.
Besides Cohen and Benedetto, also on the panel yesterday were Office of Insular Affairs field representative Jeff Schorr, Philippine Consul General Wilfredo D.L. Maximo, newly sworn in United Filipino Organization president Ramon Awit, along with eight designated Filipino community representatives.
As the number of seats inside the multi-purpose center was limited, other members of the Filipino community watched the meeting outside, on a big television set.