Previous Story
DOLI bars entry of PROC nationals
|
Posted on Jul 28 1999
Labor and Immigration Sec. Mark Zachares yesterday issued fresh instructions to halt the issuance of new entry permits to all nationals from mainland China, following refusal and delay by Beijing to accept returning workers from the Northern Marianas.
In a memorandum addressed to all airlines, labor and immigration offices and ports of entry, the DOLI chief also canceled Authorizations to Board or ATBs to PROC nationals, which means that airlines are prohibited from admitting passengers from China to bring onto the island.
The order applies to all new entry permits, including new workers, replacement workers, tourists and short-term business, 90-day business, long-term business, special industry, students and immediate relatives.
Application for renewals, however, will be accepted, according to the memorandum.
“(T)he PRC denies and unduly delays accepting the return of PRC nationals,” it said. “(T)he CNMI… discontinues issuance of new entry permits… effective immediately and shall remain in force until further written notice.”
Zachares warned violators of the order would face criminal prosecution and termination.
There is no immediate reaction from business sectors or from Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio regarding the order, although a copy of the memorandum was sent to his office.
A similar order was issued in the past by the labor and immigration department in view of difficulties encountered by DOLI in deporting nationals from PROC.
The move came after a report was published that claimed Chinese workers in the Commonwealth are eligible to seek asylum under federal laws.
Zachares called the news article “false and irresponsible,” saying federal immigration laws do not apply in the CNMI. “For the record, PRC nationals in the CNMI are not eligible for asylum under U.S. immigration law, which does not apply in the CNMI,” he explained.
