FAS bill a booster to anti-crime efforts, DPS says

The Department of Public Safety has added its voice to the growing support from government agencies over a proposed legislation restricting the stay of Freely Associated States citizens in the CNMI, saying it is a step to curb rising crimes involving their nationals on the island.

Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram said the bill addresses important “nondiscriminatory issues” affecting citizens from FSM, Palau and Marshalls and their impact on local resources and infrastructure.

The department has seen “an increasingly large percent of reported cases committed” by FAS citizens here, eating up a chunk of its operations and budget, he said in a letter to Rep. Melvin Faisao, sponsor of House Bill 11-294 or the Habitual Residency Act.

According to Ingram, some provisions in the measure will respond to effort in preventing criminal activities while helping promote law-abiding citizens in the CNMI.

Calling it long overdue, officials from the municipalities of Saipan, Rota and Tinian likewise threw their support behind the proposal which is the first attempt of the CNMI government to deal with growing problems associated with the open migration of citizens from neighboring islands.

Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona, however, cautioned the legislature in passing the bill as it might treat FAS people unfairly and ruffle bilateral relations with Washington.

He said it must be supported by facts and figures to determine the extent of the impact of their stay in the CNMI, echoing sentiments from FAS citizens residing on the island who have opposed the legislation due to its discriminatory policies.

But Faisao, chair of the House committee on Federal and Foreign Relations, has defended the measure as restrictions apply only to those who have communicable disease, with criminal record, considered a public charge or a terrorist.

A joint panel of Faisao’s committee and House Labor and Immigration committee is currently reviewing the bill, taking into consideration comments from both the public and several government agencies.

They have scheduled a public hearing on Tinian on April 7 in a last step before they make recommendations on the bill for deliberation by legislators.

The Public School System and the Department of Public Health, among other critical agencies, have also expressed support to the proposal, citing records of FAS impact on their dwindling resources — compounded by Washington’s failure to reimburse the costs as earlier promised.

The move to change the open migration policy is underscored by current shortfall in government revenues as well as amendment to the US regulations governing the Compact of Free Association which has allowed FAS citizens to freely enter into any American territories.