The 14-year CNMI resident said before federalization became law, he and other guest workers could look forward to a better life.
Beginning on Nov. 28, however, restrictions will be imposed on their presence in the commonwealth.
“Why can’t we continue working here? We pay taxes and contribute to the economy and observe the law,” Rashid said.
Security guard Aminul Islam said his wife is also a guest workers in the CNMI and they are worried about the future of their two children if guest workers will have no legal status after 2014.
David Gulick, district director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, met with the Bangladeshi community on Friday to explain the federal “interim final rules” for guest workers.
He said there is no guarantee the U.S. Embassy will grant visas to CW-1 workers who want to return to the commonwealth after going off-island.
CNMI guest workers accepted into the transition program will be given CW-1 visas.
“Ordinarily the notice that you’ve been granted the CW status is what you need to show the embassy,” he said. “But it’s not automatic,” he added referring to the granting of the visa that allows a guest worker to re-enter the islands.
Janna Evans, regional lead for community relations of USCIS Western District, said: “It’s not guaranteed in general but it’s going to happen.”
Evans advised guest workers to save an electronic copy of their CW visa if they want to visit their home countries.
But the original copy of the CW visa should be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if the guest worker wants to get permission to return to the CNMI, she added.
Gulick said two years after Nov. 28, “we may offer you something else.”
He added, “The next couple of months or in the next month we will advise you of other relief other than becoming a CW worker…but it’s not a green card — we have no ability to give you a green card.”
Guilick also said they haven’t determined yet how to reduce the numbers of guest workers in the CNMI.
“What will happen is that in the future we would give people enough notice,” he said.
