10,997 workers get initial CW1 permits since 2011

From Oct. 7, 2011, to Feb. 28, 2014, a total of 10,997 foreign workers or 84 percent of the total number petitioned for an initial CW1 permit got approvals while 1,416 or almost 11 percent were denied. These are based on latest data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that handles immigration benefits.

The remaining 5 percent or 683 initial petitions have yet to be adjudicated.

But in just eight months, after Dec. 31, 2014, skilled and professional foreign workers—from accountants to hotel staff and nurses, teachers, engineers, architects, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, house workers, caregivers, farmers and fishermen—will no longer be allowed to continue working in the CNMI unless U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez extends the transitional CW program.
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Marie Thérèse Sebrechts, USCIS supervisory public affairs officer, said over the weekend that from Oct. 7, 2011, through Feb. 28, 2014, USCIS had data entered 6,758 initial I-129CW petitions.

The petitions were filed by approximately 1,997 employers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

A total of 13,096 CW1 workers are sponsored in these petitions.

“A total of 5,663 petitions were approved consisting of 10,997 beneficiaries. A total of 798 petitions were denied‐other consisting of 1,416 beneficiaries,” Sebrechts said.

DHS announced a limit of 14,000 non-immigrants under the CW program for fiscal year 2014 starting on Oct. 1, 2013, a 6.66-percent cut from the fiscal year 2013 cap of 15,000.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) said it “doesn’t make sense” that DHS approved in September 2013 a CW cap of 14,000, only to be zeroed out a little over a year later, after Dec. 31, 2014.

Sablan, like other CNMI officials and business groups, said the CNMI still does not have enough number of available and qualified U.S. workers to take over the jobs currently held by foreign workers.

The law requires an annual decrease in the CW cap until the CW program ends on Dec. 31, 2014—unless the U.S. Labor secretary decides to extend the transition period. The CNMI has been requesting a five-year extension, or up to 2019.

Sebrechts also provided the latest data on I-129CW extension petitions received through Feb. 28, 2014.

USCIS had data entered 5,334 I-129CW extension with the same employer petitions.

They were filed by approximately 1,488 different employers.

A total of 9,063 CW1 workers are sponsored on these petitions.

“A total of 4,604 petitions were approved consisting of 7,496 beneficiaries. A total of 91 petitions were denied consisting of 181 beneficiaries,” Sebrechts said.

Foreign workers whose CW permits have yet to be renewed on the anniversary of their original permits are supposed to stop working until they get their renewed permit from USCIS.

USCIS also provided during the weekend I-129CW extension-all other petitions received through Feb. 28, 2014.

These include 1,418 I-129CW petitions data entered. They were filed by approximately 615 different employers.

A total of 2,045 CW1 workers are sponsored on these petitions.

“A total of 966 petitions were approved consisting of 1,274 beneficiaries. A total of 152 petitions were denied-other consisting of 245 beneficiaries,” Sebrechts said.