THE Department of Labor and Immigration aims to relinquish its existing detention facility on Airport Road and “develop” a new facility with the Division of Corrections.
DOLI Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio said combining immigration detainees with Corrections would save the department thousands of dollars.
DOLI pays some $45,000 to $48,000 annually in rental fee for use of the detention facility, he said.
“The detainees will be combined so eventually we’ll relinquish the (existing) immigration facility,” he said.
The development of a new immigration facility that meets U.S. standards is part of DOLI’s efforts to improve its operations and management.
The department, in the past few months, introduced some changes including the implementation of departure screening and amendment of certain regulations regarding visitors’ entry, business permits and labor permits.
Tenorio, together with Gov. Juan N. Babauta recently reported these “achievements” to Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Ha., who had been critical of the CNMI’s labor and immigration policies.
Babauta said the senator as well as Congressman George Miller, D-Ca., were impressed and found the report “very good.”
Tenorio said the senator encouraged the administration to continue improving the labor and immigration situation in the commonwealth.
