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‘Full asylum protection to be applied in NMI’
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Posted on Jul 20 2008
After the transition period of the federalization law, a full asylum protection system will be applied in the CNMI, according to federal Labor Ombudsman Jim Benedetto.
Under the full asylum system, people who are qualified for such protection can travel or go to the U.S. mainland.
“But in the year preceding the transition period which is right now until June 1, 2009, the Commonwealth will continue to operate its refugee protection program,” said Benedetto during Saturday’s forum organized by the Coalition of United Workers (NMI) at the Kilili Beach pavilion.
After June 1, 2009, during the entire transition period, the federal government will administer what is called “withholding of removal,” he said.
Under the “withholding of removal,” alien workers who fear persecution or torture if they are returned to their home countries will not be forced to do so by the federal government.
Benedetto, however, stressed that it is not the same as full blown asylum under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, which will only begin after the transition period.
“It is not quite the same as asylum but it does grant the minimal protections that the treaties require,” he explained.
“So from now to June 1, it is local CNMI refugee protection. From June 1, 2009, to the end of the transition period, it’s ‘withholding of removal.’ We will not send you back. After the transition period, it’s full asylum protection,” the ombudsman said.
The forum was intended for the Bangladeshi, Sir Lankans, Nepalese, and Indian communities. Over a hundred people showed up at the forum.
A few Bangladeshi and Chinese nationals have reportedly sought refugee status under the local protection system.
