Stiffer controls for visitor sponsorships

In a move to further tighten immigration policy, the Attorney General’s Office has proposed stiffer standards for visitor sponsorship, among other things.

The AGO offered the new set of amendments to immigration rules after receiving comments on the comprehensive regulations it introduced last month.

“The additional amendments are proposed to enable the [AGO] and the Division of Immigration to meet the rapidly changing needs of the Commonwealth’s social and economic environment, which is increasingly dependent on foreign markets,” the AGO said.

One of the major amendments proposed lays out limitations and qualifications for nonresidents who sponsor tourists.

The AGO noted that currently, there is widespread abuse of the sponsorship program by nonresidents. The AGO hopes that with qualifications for sponsors, the Division of Immigration will have an easier time holding sponsors accountable for visitors who overstay their Visitor Entry Permit or work illegally.

Under the amendment, an alien residing in the Commonwealth may only sponsor two applicants at any given time.

Anyone seeking to sponsor more than two applicants is required to present proof that the sponsor has not been found in violation of prior sponsorships; has sufficient financial resources to support the visitor during his or her entire stay; is willing to pay the costs of the visitor’s stay, if necessary; will reimburse the CNMI government for deportation expenses; and will assist the Division of Immigration should the visitor violate any condition of entry or any U.S. or local law.

The AGO also proposed an amendment to clarify the legal status of aliens who have pending petitions of adoption.

Such aliens should be allowed to stay in the Commonwealth for up to one year, in order to satisfy legal requirements for adoption. The Immigration director will decide whether or not to renew the permit after one year.

The AGO also sought to codify current procedure permitting non-exempt aliens to enter the CNMI by producing either a Visitor Entry Permit, an Authorization for Entry, or a Nonresident Worker Permit.

Citing the success of the 90-day Comity Entry Permit, the AGO said CEP holders should be allowed to receive a 60-day Long-Term Tourist Entry Permit as an extension of a CEP.

The AGO stated last month its intent to restate and adopt a comprehensive set of immigration regulations that include all amendments made to the policy since it was adopted as permanent on May 20, 1985.