Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan said this “creative administrative solution” will allow Russians and Chinese to visit the CNMI even without U.S. visas.
The proposal, however, is still being discussed by federal agencies that will administer the islands’ immigration system when U.S. Public Law 110-229, or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, takes effect on Nov. 28.
Sablan met late last month with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Assistant Secretary Dr. Richard Barth to discuss the federalization law.
“Secretary Napolitano said she got it. I truly believe she got it. She said they understand the importance that Russian and Chinese tourists play in the CNMI economy so the creative solution is beginning to emerge,” said Sablan in a press conference yesterday.
“But the solution has not been cleared by the interagency process and so according, to Dr. Barth, there is a 50-50 chance of approval by Nov. 28. I am, however, hopeful, [based on my] other conversations [with other DHS officials] — there’s more than a 50-50 chance of approval,” he added.
The final copy of the form may be approved before Nov. 28.
“The [feds] will only require Russian and Chinese tourists to fill out one more form before [going] to the Northern Marianas. They are not going to amend the interim final rules on the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program. The creative solution they proposed is administrative and will be done by the Department of Homeland Security,” said Sablan.
He is not aware if this solution proposed will be extended as well to Guam, which hosts an Air Force base and other U.S. military facilities.
Sablan said without Russian and Chinese tourists, the islands’ tourism-based economy will further destabilize and inflict more economic pains on residents.
“We have a more than just fragile economy. We have a problematic economy,” he said.
