U.S. Virgin Islands Congresswoman Donna Christensen said it was never their intention to undermine the islands’ economy when the federalization law was drafted.
“We stress when we had hearings in the bill, it was in no way our intention to undermine the economy of the CNMI. Everything would be done with the continued progress of the CNMI and we’re still committed with that,” she said during the press conference that CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan organized for the visiting delegation.
Rahall said he will work with Sablan’s office to strike a balance between what federal and local authorities want to achieve once the CNMI’s immigration system is federalized starting Nov. 28.
“There are perhaps regulations that are slow in being implemented. We will certainly work with [Sablan] and it’s our effort to strike a balance here to help fulfill our responsibility in the CNMI,” said Rahall.
The CNMI is particularly interested in including Russia and China in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Although the U.S. Department of Homeland Security already drafted final regulations for the VWP without Russia and China, Sablan said there are still possibilities that tourists from these countries could be given a special visa to visit the territories for tourism purposes.
“They are very important to our economy. If the Chinese don’t come here Tinian would close. We should not forget about Tinian. It’s not an easy thing to do but we’re working about it,” said Sablan.
“We already know that the regulation to the visa waiver program has been made. The DHS, while it has taken a position on that matter, has not entirely shut us. Are we going to get visa waiver for Chinese and Russian tourists? I don’t know. But pressure is coming up. There are a lot of things that are being looked at,” he added.
Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo added: “I wish to go on record that Guam supports the visa waiver program.”
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano met last week with Sablan.
Sablan said he was told that the regulations that will govern the presence of migrant workers and foreign investors in the CNMI would be released within the next two to three weeks.
Public comments will be accepted before the regulations are adopted with finality.
Sablan said the federalization law is good for the CNMI’s long-term best interest.
