Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the $333,021 was under grants from the Initiative on Labor, Immigration, and Law Enforcement.
“Funds from this grant award will be used to support the law enforcement efforts of the CNMI Department of Labor and the Office of the Attorney General,” said Fitial in a news statement.
“I thank Office of Insular Affairs Director Nick Pula for supporting the CNMI’s strong law enforcement efforts by awarding us with these needed grants,” he added.
The grant would be specifically use to pay the salaries of five professionals up to Jan. 1, 2010 — labor policy counsel, $88,319; counsel for civil enforcement, $74,074; counsel for immigration policy, $50,258; Division of Immigration paralegal, $50,570; and criminal prosecutor/refugee judge, $69,800.
The governor said the grant will help further enhance progress at the AG’s Office and the Labor Department.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the grants were awarded with certain conditions and requirements, including the requirement that the positions be exempt from hiring freezes, local government austerity holidays, and other cost-saving measures, including travel restrictions if the travel is necessary and paid for by federal funds.
The positions must be filled in consultation with Interior officials, he added.
