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Start of federalization ‘likely’ to be pushed back–DPL chief
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Posted on Feb 04 2009
New Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is likely to delay the start of U.S. immigration law in the CNMI due to the pending litigation, Department of Public Lands Secretary John DelRosario told members of the Legislature yesterday.
DelRosario, while testifying before a joint House-Senate session about the proposed Flame Sako Resort, said Gov. Benigno Fitial has informed him that Napolitano is aware of the impact of Public Law 110-229, and that, from what he understands, she is “very likely” to implement a freeze in the law until the U.S. District Court makes a decision regarding the lawsuit.
The CNMI has sued the U.S. government in a bid to block the federal government from taking over local immigration on June 1. Lawyers for the CNMI have also filed a preliminary injunction suspending labor provisions of the law.
DelRosario said his understanding is that the freeze would take place because “it would be useless, from my understanding, to have this thing implemented and then the whole thing reverses if the court favors the CNMI lawsuit.”
Eventually, DelRosario said, concerns of CNMI officials will be transmitted to the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration.
The Public Lands official made the comment when questioned by legislators about the composition of Flame Sako’s employee pool. Under the Legislature-approved lease, at least 30 percent of Flame Sako employees must be local—10 percent more than mandated by law.
Even if federalization does occur, DelRosario told the House and Senate members that the company could still hire temporary workers to fill the positions.
The CNMI and United States governments are still actively involved in the litigation.
Earlier this week both parties requested a date be set so oral arguments could be heard.
