DEPARTMENT of Labor and Immigration officials say necessary steps will be taken to determine the authenticity of U.S. visas issued to nationals of the 67 countries restricted to enter America.
The issue was raised amid DOLI’s plan to ease its policy on the issuance of authorization to board to citizens of the restricted countries.
Immigration Director Antonio P. Sablan said the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agent detailed on Saipan will assist the CNMI should questions arise about the authenticity of a U.S. visa.
“If there’s anything that raises a concern, we will seek the assistance of the INS agent on the island,” Sablan said.
DOLI is proposing to exempt foreign nationals, particularly legitimate businessmen, with U.S. visas from the ATB requirement.
In a separate interview, acting Labor and Immigration Secretary Jack A. Tenorio said hundreds of ATBs had already been issued since the requirement was imposed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
A week after the terror attacks in America, DOLI issued a memorandum requiring ATBs from citizens of countries on the restricted list.
Only the labor and immigration secretary is authorized to issue an ATB. The ATB must be requested at least one month before a person intends to travel to the CNMI.
An ATB applicant must provide the following information: name of traveler, permanent address, place of employment/occupation, certification of employment, copy of passport, date of arrival and departure, airline carrier and flight number, purpose of visit, name of location of intended stay and contact number at home.
