Joining Rahall and CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan are American Samoa Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment; Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife; South Carolina Congressman Henry Brown, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife; and U.S. Virgin Islands Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen, member of the Energy & Commerce and Natural Resources committees and second vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Brown is the only Republican in the group.
Rahall’s group will stay on Saipan for three days before heading to Guam.
Prior to their coming, a Congressional Delegation led by Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Price, D-N.C., spent a day on Saipan last month upon Sablan’s invitation.
Federalization
The congressional delegation’s visit comes just 112 days before the Nov. 28 scheduled implementation of the law that mandates the federalization of the islands’ immigration system under the U.S. Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008.
Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, said the Legislature’s discussion with the visiting delegation will focus on the federalization law.
The delegation is scheduled to meet with local lawmakers on Monday in the House chamber.
“First of all, they are here for a few days and the purpose of their visit is to look at the progress of the implementation of the federalization system that’s something that will be the forefront in our discussion but other issues might come out,” Palacios told the Variety.
He said the Legislature looks forward to a healthy discussion with Rahall’s group.
“We’re looking forward to meeting them and discuss a lot of issues that we have,” he added.
Rep. Diego T. Benavente, the chairman of the House Committee on U.S. and Foreign Relations, said any visit by any member of the U.S. Congress is very much welcome for the CNMI.
He said the visit will enable the CNMI to show the members of the U.S. Congress the economic realities facing the CNMI.
“Every single visit by the committee or the members of the U.S. Congress is important for us. We meet with them and they see the realities that we face in the commonwealth. I am just happy that they have scheduled to visit us,” said Benavente, R-Saipan.
The Fitial administration also welcomes the visit of Rahall’s group.
Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said the inclusion of the Russian and Chinese tourists on the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that will be implemented simultaneously with the changes on the islands’ immigration system is a sensitive issue that the administration wants to be revisited.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security excluded Russia and China from the final list of countries eligible to enter Guam and the CNMI visa free due to security concerns.
The CNMI, however, said the move will affect the islands fragile tourism industry as both Russians and Chinese tourists contribute millions in tourist-dollars to their economy.
Island hospitality
The visiting congressional delegation is scheduled to arrive at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday aboard a military plane. Sablan’s wife Andrea will lead the welcoming party for them before proceeding to meet with the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Hanmi is lobbying members of the U.S. Congress to help convince DHS to include Russia and China on the Guam-CNMI VWP.
In a statement, Sablan said he supports the move because Russian and Chinese tourists are important to the local tourism industry.
“Allowing Russian and Chinese tourists to come to the CNMI without having to get a visa is vital to the Commonwealth’s tourism economy. I want the [congressional delegation] to have an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts on the economic impact of losing Russian and Chinese tourists,” he said.
After the Hanmi meeting, Sablan’s family will treat the delegation to an authentic Chamorro barbecue dinner. Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and first lady Josie Fitial were also invited to the dinner.
“We in the Marianas take pride in our food and hospitality and I want Mr. Rahall and my colleagues in Congress and the staff to experience that,” said Sablan.
On Sunday Rahall will join Sablan in listening to what is expected to be a large gathering of people whose immigration status will be affected by the transition to U.S. control.
The meeting at the fishing base in Garapan will include the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the commonwealth, and the long-term workers who are critical to the economy.
“My plan was for the (congressional delegation) to have contact with as many people as possible, representing a wide range of views and concerns,” said Sablan.
On Monday, the delegation will meet formally with the governor, the CNMI nayors, and lawmakers.
It will also include meetings with federal officials and with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
