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US House to take up S.2739
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Posted on Apr 26 2008
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to deliberate the bill federalizing the commonwealth’s immigration control this week.
The House calendar for the coming week shows that S. 2739 is one of 13 bills to be on the floor on Tuesday, April 29, in Washington, D.C.
The representatives will meet at 12:30pm for morning hour debate and 2pm for legislative business. Votes are expected at 6:30pm, which is at 4:30am Wednesday on Saipan.
The lower chamber is expected to pass the Senate omnibus bill, which contains about House-approved measures covering public lands, national parks, water resources and territorial issues.
Once the bill clears the House, it will be sent to the president for his action and will then become law.
The bill includes provisions to have Washington take over the CNMI’s immigration system. It would also give the commonwealth a congressional delegate with limited voting powers. Currently, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia have a delegate in the House.
The Fitial administration and the local private sector oppose the immigration bill, saying it is too restrictive and would further damage the CNMI’s struggling economy.
The fear is that a federalized immigration system would make it difficult for the CNMI to hire alien workers to fill jobs on the islands. Local officials are also concerned the CNMI will lose its edge as a destination for Russian and Chinese tourists.
But proponents believe the bill would address border control issues and long-standing labor abuse problems in the commonwealth.
Guam is seen to benefit from the bill, particularly from a provision that would unify Guam and the CNMI under a regional visa-waiver program. Tourists entering Guam or the CNMI under the program will be able to stay in either location, or any combination of both locations for up to 45 days. This is an extension of Guam’s current visa waiver program, which provides for a 15-day period of stay.
The bill also has provisions that would exempt the CNMI and Guam from the cap on the number of temporary work visas issued nationwide. This is expected to address the expected labor shortages for the planned military buildup in the territory.
