He cited the increase in the number of vegetable stalls and “mom and pop” stores in different villages on island.
“They know who they are,” he said, referring to the local residents who, he added, are abetting these illegal activities.
He said under a “sponsorship” scheme, instead of the employer giving salary to the employee, the employee is the one paying his employer.
“We have a lot of those cases,” he said, adding that some nonresidents are working on farms after paying landowners.
He said these nonresident workers are not helping the economy because majority of them are sending their income to their home countries and are not paying local taxes.
Camacho said the CNMI Department of Labor and U.S. immigration authorities should work together to deport unemployed or illegally employed nonresidents.
“They should not wait until Nov. 2011 [when the nonresidents’ umbrella permits expire.] They should start sending home these people,” he said.
According to Camacho, the umbrella permit “authorizes the holder to be employed, but in accordance with an approved employment contract as provided in Department of Labor regulations.”
He said he is not racist and discriminatory as claimed by human rights advocate Wendy Doromal, a former Rota teacher who now resides in Florida.
He said a lot of local residents were disappointed with Doromal’s statement but “I respect her opinion.”
Camacho said he is only helping local people whom he represent on the Saipan municipal council.
Ronie Doca of the United Workers Movement said whether or not nonresidents are employed, they can stay in the CNMI until the expiration of their umbrella permit this November.
