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IRs being encouraged to sign two petitions for Homeland Security
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Posted on Jan 22 2009
The United Workers Movement is encouraging all persons with Immediate Relative status to sign two petitions to be submitted to the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
United Workers Movement acting president Rabby Syed told Saipan Tribune that one petition is an appeal to Homeland Security to waive some of the requirements for IRs of U.S. citizens to file for green cards.
Syed said the other petition will be a request to reconsider the status of the IRs of Freely Associated States citizens.
He said they want to ask Homeland Security to waive the application fee for green cards and the 2008 Poverty Guidelines requirement.
“Saipan’s economy is very bad. Our wages are very low. It’s hard for us to fulfill the requirements. It’s also hard for us to find sponsors,” said Syed, who is also president of the City Taxi Association.
The federal fee for petitioning an alien relative for green card status reportedly costs $355, while an adjustment to a permanent status application costs $930. With the addition of attorney’s fees and other costs, a green card applicant will pay a total of $3,400.
According to the 2008 Poverty Guidelines, a sponsor with two household members must have an annual income of at least $17,500.
At present, the CNMI’s minimum wage is $4.05 an hour.
Syed said the petition signing for IRs of U.S. citizens will be at Winchell’s in Garapan starting tomorrow, Saturday, to Monday, from 6pm to 8pm.
As for IRs of FAS citizens, the petition to reconsider their situations will be discussed, also at Winchell’s at the same days and time, he said.
