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CNMI bans deported aliens from reentry
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Posted on Oct 20 2000
Nonresident workers deported by the government for violation of its immigration laws are now barred forever from returning into the CNMI.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed yesterday Public Law 12-25 amending existing laws to permanently ban a deported alien from reentry.
Lawmakers believed the ban is in the best interest of law-abiding citizens of 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,” a legislative committee report said.
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.
The new law is designed to at least encourage these aliens to surrender to authorities so that they can opt for voluntary departure instead of facing deportation proceedings in the court.
A permanent ban on their reentry is also viewed 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.
