During Wednesday’s hearing held at Garapan Elementary School, less than 20 members of the public showed up.
They included former Rep. Tina Sablan, Glenn Hunter and Rabby Syed, president of the United Workers Movement.
Hunter told the committee he supports the move to grant guest workers improved status.
“Go ahead and give them a pathway to U.S. citizenship,” he said.
The CNMI House of Representatives and the Senate adopted a joint resolution asking the U.S. Congress to invalidate Interior’s recommendation in favor of a new one that should be drafted upon consultation with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Senate Vice President Jude Hofschneider, R-Tinian and chairman of the committee, said their recommendation will be based on public opinions presented during the hearings.
The committee plans to submit its report to Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, sometime in August.
It will then be submitted to Congress which has yet to act on Interior’s recommendation.
