BOE urges IR teachers, staff to apply for immigrant status

The chairperson of the CNMI Board of Education is urging all Public School System employees with immediate relative, or IR, status to process their papers now so they could be granted immigrant status and qualify to stay within the system.

Lucy Blanco-Maratita told Saipan Tribune this, following concerns raised by school administrators that the anticipated enforcement of federalization in June may affect their personnel, including classroom teachers.

PSS earlier disclosed that there are 96 personnel who fall under the IR category. Many of them have been employed with the system for several years. They include teachers, support staff, and teacher-aides, and assistants.

“If we have some 90 staff at the system that may be affected by this concern because they can’t continue work for PSS, then obviously we need to make sure we need to have those classrooms covered,” she said yesterday.

Although the issue hasn’t gone up to the board yet, Blanco-Maratita said that Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan is aware and is now assessing the matter.

“At present, the commissioner is aware of the issue and will make recommendations for actions to the board if there’s a need to,” she said.

The chairperson, however, encouraged these IR personnel to start working on their papers to prevent the potential impact to the system.

Board policy dictates that non-immigrant or non-U.S. citizens cannot be employed by the system.

Department of Homeland Security representatives earlier disclosed that the IR status may not be considered when federalization comes in.

A federal office that will assist the islands’ IRs will be established this month.

A fee is required to apply for U.S. visas, a concern raised by several IRs who failed to process their papers for many years.

When asked on possible financial assistance that may be offered to employees who may have financial concerns in processing their visa applications, Blanco-Maratita said PSS may not be able to accommodate such need.

“Probably not…Just like everybody else, we want to encourage them to work on their papers so that by the effective date, they are able to stay in the CNMI and work at PSS,” said.

The board official cited the limited funding being received by PSS from the local government, which would prevent them from providing such assistance to IRs.

“I don’t believe that’s something PSS can do…Immigration is a different issue. I can’t say that the board will not do it, I just don’t think it’s something we can do at present,” she added.

Blanco-Maratita mentioned the incentives and benefits being provided teachers who are diligently working on their HQT requirements and credentials, including salary rates of up to $47,000.

“We’re giving incentives as a means of encouraging teachers to become more effective and more efficient. Our goal is to improve them so that our students will also improve based on their excellent teaching,” she said.

PSS is currently operating on a $35 million budget, the bulk of which goes to personnel’s salary. It has over 1,000 employees, including those funded by federal programs.