These rules, however, are for the CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker Program. That’s as clear as a clear glass of Ginebra gin. The regs are for the hiring of guest workers during the transition period, which ends on Dec. 31, 2014. They must be legally employed and they must be petitioned by their employers. USCIS says this CW visa classification is valid only in the CNMI and “provides no basis for travel to any other part of the United States, including Guam.” USCIS also says that after the transition period, nonresidents who still have jobs here should either acquire the appropriate U.S. work visa or leave the islands. U.S. work visas, however, require certain wage levels that are just too high for CNMI employers.
The regs will not improve the immigration status of nonresidents. That requires a new law passed by Congress and signed by the president. Last year, the Democratic administration submitted a recommendation for improved status to the Democratic Congress, which sat on it. Now the Republicans are in charge of the U.S. House. And suddenly, the CNMI has a “Republican” governor — who remains opposed to improved status. Kilili, as delegate, can introduce the enabling legislation but he can’t if his constituents are against it.
In the local community, there is no groundswell of support for improved status. A nonbinding referendum would have provided a clearer picture of public sentiment, but I guess those in favor of improved status feared the result. The CNMI Senate is trying to find a way to allow the guest workers to remain here, but without granting them permanent residency. However, the local community’s angry reaction to the news story about the draft report may have already convinced the senators to just go along with the governor’s politically painless proposal: an extension of the transition period, presumably for five more years. Under the federalization law, this can be done by the U.S. labor secretary “in consultation with appropriate federal agencies” and the CNMI governor.
My advice to my kababayans: move to stage 5 (acceptance) and prepare to move on. If you have a job, work harder, cut your expenses, save more. If you’re jobless, find new employment opportunities elsewhere. You do not want to stay here when your umbrella permit expires. You’ll be out of status and subject to deportation — by the United States government. You will be banned from re-entering the CNMI and the rest of the U.S. for many years.
The dream is over and it’s time to wake up. But it’s not the end of the world.
oOo
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that after two senior Covenant lawmakers — Lang and Daling — “urged” the governor to hold 902 talks with the feds, Uncle Ben announced that he would rather work with Kilili. And lo and behold, the Senate has a resolution asking Kilili to basically beg for a federal bailout.
So now Kilili not only has to contend with the candidate of the Republican-Covenant coalition next year, he is also being set up for failure in D.C.
What the governor and his legislative lackeys are saying is that Kilili, as delegate, can and should bring in lots of federal aid — even if the national Republicans, who say they will cut spending, are in charge of the U.S. House; and even if President Obama himself has called for a five-year spending freeze. Next year, expect the ReCovlicans to blame Kilili for the hardship that this incompetent administration and do-nothing Legislature continue to inflict on the CNMI people.
Kilili, to be sure, is aware of the ever shifting CNMI political landscape, and although he is willing to work with the governor, he must point out, politely, to the local people that the administration and the Legislature are asking the impossible.
Send feedback to [email protected]
