Palacios: United front on labor, immigration

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said the administration has brought the issue of the Philippines’ removal from the H-2B visa program to the table in the Section 902 Talks with the federal government.

“[We are] trying to figure out the complexities on the issue of H-2B visas for Filipino citizens. I’m not sure if other states and territories are experiencing the impact, but I know CNMI and Guam are…certainly impacted,” said Palacios last May 29, soon after signing a proclamation that declared the month of June as NMI-Philippine Friendship Month.

He said it is not just about pointing to other countries in the region where the CNMI can have access to a skilled workforce “but Filipinos are one of the most desirable ones for the CNMI.”

Early this year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services removed the Philippines from among the list of countries whose workers could be brought in using the H-2B visas, citing the potential for employers to abuse the program. The Dominican Republic and Ethiopia are also no longer eligible for H-2B visas.

Since the Philippines is one of its top sources of skilled foreign labor, this development is having a serious impact on the CNMI. It has slowed down construction projects in the CNMI, including the casino hotel of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC.

Palacios said the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres would continue to work with their counterparts in the federal government to resolve the issue. “Gov. Torres made that point in the recent 902 Talks, to try and sway the federal government to carve out a different policy and program.”

Palacios said one of the ways for the federal government to reconsider is for Guam and the CNMI to have a united front on the categorical parole issue at the coming Micronesian Chief Executive Summit.

USCIS also terminated the categorical parole program, affecting the lives of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and other stateless individuals, CNMI permanent residents and their IRs, IRs of citizens of Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau), caregivers of CNMI residents.

“[We must] have it considered because a lot of our Micronesian brothers and sisters are spouses of Filipino folks that are in these immigration categories. One of the plans by the governor is to insist and request assistance at the Micronesian summit. To have a united front and request the U.S. to consider this status and give it a lot more stability.”