Publication of this final rule will end over two years of waiting and uncertainty for the Northern Marianas economy. An interim rule was issued October 2009, but was enjoined a month later by a federal court following a lawsuit brought on by the commonwealth government.
Ever since, the business community, U.S workers, and foreign workers have been left guessing about the rules for employment in the Northern Marianas after Nov. 27, 2011.
Homeland Security officials are expected in the Northern Marianas later this month to hold briefing sessions and answer questions from the public about the regulations.
Officials have also assured Sablan that DHS is prepared to process the thousands of applications expected to be filed prior to the expiration of local umbrella permits at the end of November.
