But these tourists will not be able to enter any other part of the United States.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial thanked DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“I am very appreciative of the personal effort that Secretary Napolitano made in establishing this new policy,” he said.
“It will enable our very important tourism industry to continue attracting Russian and Chinese visitors to our islands. She has made good on her promise to me last month to look for a ‘creative solution’ to our problems.”
In a media release, Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Ind.-MP, said: “We got what we’ve asked for. We are successful.”
Saipan Economic Development Council Chairman Bob Jones said the DHS decision to permit continued access represents “a great opportunity for scheduled air service to be extended to Russia and China.”
Fitial met with Napolitano in Washington, D.C. recently.
“I believed in her,” the governor said. “And she came through to help the people of the CNMI better cope with federalization,” he added.
According to Sablan’s media release, to ensure the security of the borders DHS will examine flight manifests 72 hours before visitors depart for the Northern Marianas, screening out criminals or persons on terrorist watch lists.
“I’ve been assured that all the necessary equipment to do the pre-screening and monitor visitor exits will be in place by Nov. 28,” said Sablan. “I have been very concerned about the department’s operational readiness, but I’m beginning to see some forward motion.”
He added, “I also think that we have to be sure that this capacity is also present for the Rota and Tinian tourist markets. This isn’t just about Saipan.”
Details of the department’s plans to use the parole system will be worked out over the next weeks and Sablan’s office said it will continue to monitor the department’s decisions in this regard.
