Gov’t asked to clarify ban on PROC nationals

Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes has expressed concern over potential “adverse repercussions” of the complete ban against all nationals from mainland China seeking entry into the Northern Marianas, as he pressed the Tenorio administration to clarify the move.

He also asked the Senate leadership to seek a meeting with the Department of Labor and Immigration to shed light on its decision to issue fresh instructions against processing new entry permits to workers, businessmen and visitors from the People’s Republic of China.

The ban would have negative impact on the efforts of the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote the island to potential tourists from that country since they are also included among the restricted visitors to the Commonwealth, according to the senator.

“I am surprised that there is a complete ban… I am concerned about the adverse repercussion on (MVA’s plan) to attract PROC tourists to the CNMI,” he said in an interview. “I am not sure whether the end justifies the means.”

Reyes’ statement came on the heels of the DOLI Sec. Mark Zachares’ order to halt anew issuance of new entry permits for all PROC nationals, except for renewals, following alleged refusal and undue delay by Beijing to accept returning workers from the CNMI.

Administration officials, including Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, disclosed the move has been prompted by reports that Chinese workers on the island are eligible to seek asylum from the US. government as provided under federal laws.

The Commonwealth handles its own immigration standards and the US. immigration laws are not applicable on the island, according to a memorandum released by Zachares in an attempt to quell potential damage arising from what he considered “false and irresponsible” report.

The memorandum, including cancellation of the Authorizations to Board or ATBs, has been addressed to all airlines, labor and immigration officers and ports of entry.

The order applies to all new entry permits, including new workers, replacement workers, tourists, short-term business, 90-day business, long-term business, special industry, students and immediate relatives.

Application for renewals, however, will be accepted. 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.

According to Reyes, legislators are anxious to know the “real reasons” for the ban as they have only read about it in the newspapers.

Expressing concerns on the restrictions imposed on potential Chinese tourists, he said MVA and the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino are banking on the PROC market to boost the number of visitors to the island.

Japan and Korea, CNMI’s biggest markets, have been affected heavily by the Asian recession, shrinking local tourism revenues and prompting MVA to try to tap the Chinese tourists.

“We are not questioning the authority of DOLI,” Reyes explained. “We are concerned about the adverse repercussions with respect to tourists from PROC… so this is something that we need to seriously look into.”