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Ban on deported aliens awaits Teno approval
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Posted on Aug 31 2000
Legislation proposing a permanent ban on reentry of deported aliens into the CNMI is awaiting action by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio after the House of Representatives yesterday gave its stamp of approval on SB 12-2.
The House Committee on Judicial and Government Operations endorsed the proposal, noting the ban would be in the best interest of law-abiding residents on the islands.
“If an alien cannot abide by our laws, and has subjected themselves to deportation, then they should forfeit the privilege of being here,” it said in a report adopted by the lower house.
The measure, sponsored by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, aims to compel overstaying aliens to opt for voluntary departure, instead of deportation by the Department of Labor and Immigration.
Under existing laws, a five-year ban is imposed on deportees for their reentry into the CNMI which lawmakers believed is not sufficient punishment for aliens who are violating local immigration laws.
If it becomes a law, SB 12-2 will at least encourage these aliens to surrender to authorities so that they can ask for voluntary departure instead of facing deportation proceedings in the court.
A permanent ban on re-entry will serve as deterrent to those who continue to violate the laws, according to its proponents.
The legislation came a year after the end of a limited amnesty program for illegal aliens offered by the government as part of its labor and immigration reforms.
Over 2,650 undocumented foreign workers came out from hiding and sought the one-time immunity from prosecution and deportation at DOLI — a number that fell short of initial estimates of 5,000 to 15,000 overstaying aliens on the islands.
Although immigration authorities vowed to intensify manhunt against overstayers when the amnesty offer expired on June 1, 1999, CNMI officials believe that there may still be hundreds of these foreigners who don’t have proper work permits or documents.
