Leo Pangelinan, NMC’s dean of student services, said the respondents were 45 of the 75 international students last month.
Despite the immigration issue, most of the students want to finish their degrees in 2016, he added.
Of the 45, Pangelinan said, 38 felt the federalized immigration system had affected them.
“In evaluating what we can do, I feel that our hands are tied in a lot of ways but ultimately it’s the students’ responsibility and their families to secure immigration status to remain in the CNMI,” he said.
Some indicated that they would have to be petitioned by their parents. Half of the respondents were already applying for an F1 visa to secure a legal status on island.
NMC President Sharon Y. Hart said the college will find ways to help international students continue their study here.
In his report to the board of regents yesterday, Pangelinan said NMC is looking into the experiences of colleges in other states with students who have no clear immigration status and who are considered illegal aliens or undocumented.
He said some of these colleges have established a mechanism to be able to enroll students with no clear immigration status.
NMC will be getting guidance from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers to address the immigration issue of its international students, he added.
Pangelinan said some of their international students who cannot get an F1 visa are planning to apply for a CW status to remain here until 2014.
Some of the international students who have been on Saipan for over 10 years also expressed concern about the lack financial support to sustain their education and the high cost of school supplies and textbooks.
“This give us a good sense where to concentrate to our student support services,” Pangelinan said.
He said the international students are also hoping to apply for a scholarship program and are seeking assistance and advice on immigration issues.
Pangelinan at the same time said the Department of Commerce wants to require international students to have health insurance coverage.
Hart said they will come up with a recommendation after conferring with other state colleges that deal with the same issue.
