THE Tinian Chamber of Commerce gave the business owners on Tinian the following questionnaire concerning Homeland Security/USCIS. Only businesses that have a permanent office on Tinian and hire CW’s participated. Owners that have multiple businesses were only counted once.
Results:
• The Department of Homeland Security/USCIS has failed the businesses of the CNMI and the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 should be rescinded — 17 of 21.
• The money spent on the USCIS would be better spent on the CNMI government to implement the foreign workers program. They understand the islands and the need for foreign workers — 18 of 21.
• The long term foreign workers have earned the right to be given unconditional permanent CW status due to their years of service — 20 of 21.
• USCIS does not listen to the concerns of the leadership of the CNMI — 18 of 21.
• The Department of Homeland Security/USCIS is doing a good job and no change is needed — 1 of 21.
When asked “can you give me one good thing about USCIS,” one business owner answered “no, but I can get by with them.”
In conclusion, there is overwhelming support to rescind the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, return the administration of the foreign workers program to the CNMI, and give the long term CW’s unconditional permanent CW status.
Give the power back to the Northern Mariana Islands and allow businesses to prosper!
TINIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
