Rabby Syed, UWM president, yesterday said the overstayers want an assurance of legal protection when they report to the Immigration Division.
The Department of Labor said overstayers can file a request for a waiver with Immigration if they want to avail of the permit.
They must justify why they should be given a waiver.
Syed said their group will assist the overstayers and other guest workers who are no longer in the Labor system.
Their group, he said, is now coordinating with a legal counsel who will charge a minimal fee.
The overstayers fear that local authorities will order their deportation if they seek a waiver from Immigration, Syed added.
He said Immigration and Labor should clarify the waiver that could be extended to the overstayers.
He said their group wants all guest workers, regardless of their status, to get the umbrella permit before Nov. 28, when U.S. immigration law is extended to the islands.
Syed said their group is also offering free rides to guest workers who want to get the umbrella permit but can’t come to Labor because of health reasons.
He said the Saipan City Taxi Association can provide free service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for emergency cases only.
Most of the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and aliens were happy about the expanded umbrella permit, he added.
“They want to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Fitial administration because they believe the governor really attended to their concerns,” he said.
