WASHINGTON (WRO) – Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio says he is pleased that the Office of Insular Affairs has done an admirable job compiling the draft CNMI bill.
“It’s not perfect, but I feel that it is a very workable draft. I look forward to working with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on improving it,” he said.
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne was charged with drafting the bill by Sen. Jeff Bingaman.
Tenorio said he was “greatly relieved that the seven concerns I outlined in my testimony (before the U.S. Senate committee in February) are essentially incorporated in the draft. The members of the CNMI Legislature that support me have also made some very good suggestions that are worked into the legislation as principles. However, I would like to see a stronger role for our government incorporated into this bill. This remains an issue for us to resolve.”
The draft bill outlines a mechanism for the seven areas Tenorio highlighted in his testimony: (1) a visa waiver program that includes China, Russia and the Philippines, (2) a special H-1 and H-2 program outside of US caps, (3) a special visa provision for existing and future foreign investors, (4) a special guest worker program to meet workforce requirements, (5) a special visa waiver program for educational centers, (6) retaining the existing CNMI refugee and asylum program, and (7) ensuring the protection of the indigenous population from social and political alienation by immigrants.
In addition, the bill calls for a number of reports, as recommend by members of our Legislature, to be done on a regular basis assessing the impact of this law on the CNMI and its economy.
“I have chosen to work closely with the Bush administration and Congress on this legislation and seek concessions that will protect and rebuild our economy because I see that as our best option in moving forward,” Tenorio said. “If we did not have the support of allies in the U.S. House and Senate who are willing to work with us on legislation that will provide us concessions, then I fear we would be dragged into national immigration legislation which is moving forward with great momentum.”
He added, “I believe that the flexible federalization being crafted by the Senate Energy and House Natural Resources Committees is incrementally more favorable to our interests than being incorporated into national immigration legislation. Our choice is absolutely clear and I invite continuing dialogue to further improve the bill, instead of simply resisting it because of unfounded fears that it will dilute our authority for self-government or that it will destroy our economy.”