Labor: CW permit delays have substantial impact on CNMI

The delays in the processing of Commonwealth-only work permits for foreign workers have a substantial impact to the CNMI, according to the Commonwealth’s Department of Labor.

Labor Secretary Edith DeLeon Guerrero said the recent situation of workers being unable to work and businesses closing down is absolutely a concern.

“We just really don’t know what the actual number that was really affected was,” DeLeon Guerrero said, but several businesses having to close their doors would have a ripple effect.

“When these things happen it does affect also the revenue collection of the Commonwealth. The ripple effect of not just not having the workers in place but also the sales of the company, that trickles down to the collection of taxes for the state so there is a lot of effect happening as a result of this,” DeLeon Guerrero said

The labor secretary said their department is coordinating with the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services in addressing the delays.

DeLeon Guerrero said she spoke with USCIS District 26 director David G. Gulick to discuss some concerns.

“They are working vigorously to get those petitions out and get the visas out too,” DeLeon Guerrero said, “Hopefully by this week or next week we’re going to get better results.”

Employers are reminded to process their permits in a “timely manner.”

“I know that USCIS always encourages employers to process timely their petitions. Again, it’s good to put it in earlier rather than later too close to the expiration dates,” DeLeon Guerrero said.

She added that although USCIS does not specifically state a certain number of days, it would be better to submit permit applications early, even before the recommended 90 days prior to the expiration.

“As an employer, you would take that upon yourself to consider what is timely,” DeLeon Guerrero said, “It is best to put it in earlier than the expiration date.”

For their department, DeLeon Guerrero assured that there are no delays in the processing of requirements for employers to be able to file their permit applications.

“My policy in the department is that we have to be very responsive,” DeLeon Guerrero said, “We treat everybody the same.”

“We’re all working together. We all have to work collaboratively in partnership with the office of USCIS. We’re all working together. We all have to work collaboratively in partnership with the office of USCIS,” she added.

DeLeon Guerrero also reiterated that applicants can check their case status online and see if their case has been adjudicated. If so, then they can print it out and workers may be able to report for work again.