Fitial noted he was the first to ask to further delay the law until 2010 instead of implementing this on Nov. 28.
He made the request in May when the U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife made an oversight hearing about the federalization law last May.
He said a further delay will allow DHS more time to prepare for the changes and spare the CNMI of economic disaster in losing its potential major tourism markets of Russia and China, which are excluded from the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Northern Marianas Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan introduced last Thursday legislation delaying the start of federal immigration control in the CNMI until Dec. 1, 2010.
Sablan, who earlier opposed any further delay on the federalization law, said he struggled in his decision but is now convinced that DHS is not ready to fully implement the changes.
In a separate interview, Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. reiterated Fitial’s support for another delay on the federalization law.
“Governor Fitial fully supports U.S. legislation to delay the implementation of federalization for a year. We believe such an extension would be very beneficial to the CNMI. An extension would allow DHS more time to bring the staff and resources needed to carry out the law with less adverse impact to the commonwealth,” he said.
“The extension would also allow the CNMI ample time to comment on investor and worker visa regulations, so that DHS can make all reasonable accommodations to minimize adverse economic impacts. An extension would be beneficial to DHS and the CNMI,” he added.
