Fitial said the “complaint focuses on the labor provisions of the legislation, which are not, and never have been part of the federal immigration laws.”
Crisostimo, D-Saipan and vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Relations and Independent Agencies, said he supports Fitial’s decision to take legal action and believes that something positive may come out of it.
“If the federal statute handed down to the CNMI is wrong, then we, as leaders, should follow the governor’s quest,” to protect the interest of the commonwealth, Crisostimo said. “The governor has a valid concern and a valid claim, and I am supporting him.”
The governor has the right to sue, he added, saying the chief executive is “heading toward the right direction.”
The senator himself “will not hesitate” to file a lawsuit against the federal government “because that may result in clarity.”
He added, “This is for the interest and well-being of the commonwealth.”
According to Crisostimo, the CNMI’s immigration and labor system is “far better” than the federal government’s, which he added, has not enough “flexibility.”
