Public Law 110-229 states that a guest worker, or GW, can still stay and work within his job category up to the time of the validity of his CNMI permit or up to two years transition period’s effectivity of up to Nov. 27, 2011, whichever comes first. So if a GW’s CNMI permit expires on Jan. 1, 2010, will he still be allowed to stay after his CNMI permit expiration?
Employers, not employees, may apply for appropriate visa for their employees whose job categories qualify. If the employer cannot afford the application fees for each of their employees, and/or employees do not qualify, will an employee still be allowed to stay and work without applying for a work visa?
On the required investment or annual revenue for employers to meet — if the employer’s business does not qualify to be able to file for their workers’ visa, is there any possibility for the small businesses to avail of the services of their current trusted employees? How about the non-immigrant small business owners — will they still be allowed to continue operating their businesses after Nov. 28, 2009?
How about the U.S. citizen children of non-immigrant parents, children who knows no other home but the CNMI since birth, and who are dependent on their parents to take care of them and guide them to become good citizens of the CNMI — can they hope for their families to stay together?
And what of the Immediate Relatives, citizens of the Freely Associated States, and non-immigrants granted CNMI permanent residency before 1982, who comprise an important part of the workforce of these islands — do they stand a chance of gaining status here in the CNMI?
To all these questions the answer can be YES! — if we speak together in one voice, it would be loud enough for U.S. Congress, the designated committees in Washington, D.C., DHS, and President Obama to hear, listen, take notice, and then act on our request for improved status.
I will definitely be attending the assembly to be held on Aug. 9, Sunday, at 3 p.m. at the Fishing Base in front of Kristo Rai Church. I want to BE THERE & BE COUNTED!
YHO VILLAVICENCIO
As Lito, Saipan
