Manglona, R-Rota, is referring to the federalization law under the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 set to take effect on Nov. 28.
“I wish to communicate with the Ports Authority on the urgency to immediately comply with CBP’s needs. We in the legislature can work this out collectively, together with the FAA or access the 702 money, if there’s a need,” said Manglona in an interview with the Variety yesterday.
Manglona was referring to the exchange of letters between the CPA and the U.S Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), laying the groundwork for the implementation of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 this November.
“I want them (CPA) to stay on top,” Manglona said.
In his June 16 letter to CPA chairman Jose R. Lifoifoi, U.S. CBP San Francisco Field Office director Richard Vigna informed CPA: “For successful mission performance in the CNMI, CBP requires sufficient Federal Inspection Services (FIS) space for immigration processing at each location” that covered air and seaports in Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
He added: “The Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA) and transportation lines are responsible for providing and maintaining this space, including adequate inspectional and administrative space as well as employee parking, all at no cost to CBP.”
Vigna said CBP has identified specific areas within each CNMI air and seaport facilities that are most conducive for immigration processing operations, establishing and maintaining necessary infrastructure, and ensuring the physical security and safety of the public and DHS personnel.
On the other hand, Efraim F. Camacho, CPA Executive Director who represented Lifoifoi, said in his June 26, 2009 letter to Vigna: “The CPA will make every effort to satisfy your request. However, this will not be an easy task given the short time frame and the amount of space required.”
Camacho also provided CBP a background about CPA and shared “the situation that we find ourselves in.”
“Given CPA’s financial difficulties, funding the CBP’s requirements will be a significant challenge to say the least. CPA has also limited knowledge of the specifications required by your agency, particularly in the area of information technology and lack the in-house engineering staff to develop this size project. Further, the incredibly tight deadline presents a huge concern,” Camacho explains.
“We do not want to make any excuses. Money is not an excuse. CPA should make adjustments to be compliant. I’m sure we could work with the CBP and I wish CPA complies with what US Customs and Boarder Protection needs,” Manglona said, adding the U.S. government has set of standards and CNMI has to comply with it.
Upon the implementation of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 this year, CBP will inspect all passengers transported on vessels (watercraft, seaplanes, cruise ships, ferries, trains, and aircraft) to ascertain the nationality of each alien seeking admission into or transit through the United States.
The admissibility of each individual arriving at a port shall only be determined by a CBP office, Vigna said.
Those found admissible will be granted entry to the United States, and those deemed inadmissible will be denied entry and may be detained, Vigna told CPA.
