By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE Fitial administration says it has several concerns with the U.S. Interior Department’s draft bill that will federalize local immigration which it hopes the U.S. Congress will address.
“We have a number of concerns, and we look forward to working constructively with key federal policymakers to ensure that the CNMI’s economic concerns are properly addressed. We understand that they appreciate our feedback and active participation,” said Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. to Variety.
Among these concerns is the provision granting privileges to documented foreign workers who have been here for at least five years.
Reyes said this would mean a loss of income from labor or entry permits currently set at $250 per employee a year, paid by employers.
Foreign workers separately pay a fee of $25 for their alien registration card.
“We do generate revenue in processing paper documents annually at $250 per labor permit. We would be losing all that revenue if the federal government takes over,” Reyes said. “It’s fair to say that we have some reservations.”
The Northern Marianas currently hosts about 20,000 documented foreign workers, mostly from the Philippines and China.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Cohen, on May 11, submitted the draft bill to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.