Rabby Syed, United Workers Movement president, said a lot of nonresident workers who wish to go home for a vacation or emergency purposes can’t afford to pay the fee.
“If the Homeland Security will honor the umbrella permit they should accept that also as an entry permit,” he said.
The federal government should understand that the economy is bad in the CNMI, he added.
During their meetings, Syed said nonresident workers have asked if U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can do something to waive the advance parole fee.
Guest workers wishing to leave the CNMI should make an appointment first with the USCIS and apply for an advance parole.
During a recent forum, USCIS official Walter Haith said they cannot waive the advance parole fee.
Haith said applicants for advance parole should also be considerate if federal interviewers asked them many questions.
The USCIS, he said, is exerting all available avenues to qualify all applicants and, he added, based on statistics, most applications for advance parole have been approved.
