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‘Alien workers may still return to CNMI sans US visa until Nov. 28’
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Posted on May 13 2009
The CNMI Division of Immigration assured yesterday that alien workers who go home to their respective countries for vacation or other purposes will still be allowed to return to the CNMI even they don’t have a U.S. visa—at least until Nov. 28, 2009.
Acting Immigration director Antonio P. Sablan said that immigration authority remains with the local office due to the 180-day delay in implementing the transition period for federal immigration in the CNMI.
“So everything prior to Nov. 28, 2009, shall remain the same,” Sablan said.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had announced in April that the June 1 start date of the federalization law will be delayed by 180 days or until Nov. 28, 2009.
The decision came about after Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and CNMI Rep. Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the delay.
Sablan had cited the lack of sufficient funding; delays in the issuance of regulations; and the potential for disruption to families as reasons to delay the law.
Fitial had also asked Napolitano to review the interim final rules for the joint Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and put off the start of federalization implementation.
Fitial cited the importance for Homeland Security to have ample time to establish the necessary ports of entry before the law takes effect.
Many alien workers had decided to take their vacation before June 1, afraid that they may not be able come back because they don’t have U.S. visa.
Even with the 180-day delay, Saipan Tribune still received some inquiries from alien workers whether they are indeed still permitted to come back to the CNMI after June 1 or before Nov. 28.
Immigration’s Sablan assured foreign workers that as long as they have a valid CNMI entry permit and valid passport with them when they travel, they should not have any problem leaving and returning.
