Immunity receives warm response

The Department of Labor and Immigration said yesterday the number of overstaying aliens seeking amnesty climbed to 725 a week after a program granting limited immunity was implemented to help them find lawful jobs in the Northern Marianas.

Based on the record of the department, Chinese nationals account for more than 50 percent of the total illegals who applied for immunity at 398, followed by Filipinos at 210.

Nine-five Bangladeshis, 12 Sri Lankans, 10 Koreans, 3 Thais, 2 Nepalese, 1 Indian, and 1 Japanese registered under the program, which was put in place as part of the government’s plan to thwart federal takeover.

According to Jeff Camacho, acting director for labor who is in charge of the program, no arrests have been made so far since the law took effect December 2.

“We are still asking the illegals out there to seek the limited immunity so they can legalize their status and find jobs,” Camacho said in a phone interview.

However, Camacho appealed to tourists who have entered the commonwealth after January 1, 1998 to voluntarily depart NMI in six months to avoid arrest. “They are not covered by the amnesty program so we are asking them to depart voluntarily while we have this limited immunity,” he said.

Under a threat of federal takeover, the program granting amnesty to thousands of overstaying foreigners was put in place to address concerns raised by Washington over the growing presence of guest workers in the Northern Marianas.

Officials are expecting close between 1,000 and 2,000 illegal aliens to avail of the limited immunity in six months and seek lawful employment in CNMI. Some lawmakers placed the number of overstayers to at least 5,000.

The federal government, worried over mounting labor problems and increasing number of babies born to guest workers who later acquire US citizenship, has been pushing to take away local control of immigration and labor.

Non-resident workers, tourists, students, missionaries or holders of short or long-term business permits who have entered the commonwealth on or before January 1, 1998 are eligible to avail of the program.

However, illegals facing deportation, subject of a bench warrant for failure to appear in a deportation proceeding, or convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors of a crime involving moral turpitude are not covered by the law.

Those who qualify for amnesty will be issued limited immunity temporary work authorization to enable them find jobs within 90 days. Eligible aliens will be charged $100 for LITWA which will go the Deportation Fund, money to be used to repatriate applicants who failed secure a one-year work permit.

Employers who will hire LITWA holders must seek approval of the department following procedures provided in the Non-resident Workers Act within 90 days from the date of issuance of the LITWA.

Workers will be required to undergo health screening in accordance with the regulations put in place by the Department of Public Health. Employers must shoulder fees for medical tests, health certificates and processing of one year work permit.