This was proposed by the United Workers Movement which submitted its testimony to the Senate on Aug. 1, 2010.
Rabby Syed, UWM president, said they submitted the updated statement to Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian and chairman of the Senate Committee Federal Relations and Independent Agencies.
The committee will conduct a public hearing on the future status of nonresidents at the Gov. Pedoro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center starting at 6 p.m.
“What about the nearly 500 long-term business permit holders whose status is just as precarious as ours?” Syed asked.
He said the E-2 CNMI visas are reserved for long-term business investors who can provide certification from the CNMI Department of Commerce that the holder invested $50,000 in the commonwealth.
But he said Commerce never issued such certificates for any long-term business permit holder.
“What will happen to them and their families? What will happen to the CNMI if all those businesses are forced to close?” he asked.
The CNMI government will lose the taxes it collects from those businesses, he added.
According to Syed, these issues need the serious consideration of the committee.
Syed reiterated their opposition to the committee’s recommendation to grant CNMI residency to qualified nonresidents.
“That status does not provide long-term U.S. status and a pathway to U.S. citizenship for CNMI guest workers and full participation in the American political system,” he said.
