“I have asked and I will be receiving one and as soon as I received a draft I will share it with you,” Fitial told reporters.
“This is permitted under CNMI law, and I think it is the best way to accommodate our need for caregivers,” the governor said.
He added, “Many of our frail elders have very limited income, so they cannot afford to hire caregivers through domestic service agencies.”
The concerns of ailing people and senior citizens in need of care are among the many issues that he brought up in the nation’s capital, the governor said.
“And you know why the regulations were delayed, because they were working on my issues.” Fitial said.
The governor noted that the final transitional worker rule that came out earlier this month does not allow individuals to hire aliens as caregivers. Only businesses can do so.
Fitial said he sent his special legal counsel to meet with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials in Washington D.C. to address the issue.
Fitial said it is fortunate USCIS provided for a waiver of the permit fees in case the employer cannot afford it.
“This will help our sick and elderly residents who may not have the means to pay the fees for the petition to hire an alien,” he added.
