A public notice posted by the Division of Immigration states that persons entering the CNMI on or after June 1 will have to acquire a U.S. visa.
Immigration Director Melvin Grey was not available for an interview yesterday.
The public notice states that the U.S. Department of Homeland and Security has informed CNMI Immigration about what local documents will become invalid under the federalization law.
These are the CNMI entry permits, the visitor entry permit, the electronic visitor entry permit, the authorization for entry for employment, re-entry letters, the authorization to board and CNMI permanent resident cards.
These documents “will not be valid for boarding any aircraft or sea vessel to return to the CNMI on or after June 1, 2009. No exception,” the notice stated.
It added that “anyone having a U.S. visitor B1/B2 visa or any other U.S. visa may enter the CNMI but they may not enter the CNMI and then resume their CNMI status.”
CNMI Immigration did not explain what this new rule means.
Rabby Syed, United Workers Movement, NMI acting president, said the advisory is vague especially regarding the U.S. visitor visa.
“I think they have to explain that clearly,” he said.
According to Syed, the federal government and CNMI Immigration must consider the cases of guest workers who have to return to their countries because of an emergency.
He advised guest workers who plan to go on a vacation to return to the CNMI before June 1.
“Let us just wait and not jump to any conclusion about this new public notice,” he said.
