CBP: Conditional parole poses challenges

The United States Customs and Border Protection is aware of the challenges they face in enforcing the conditional parole, especially for those who would abuse the program for their own benefit. Chinese and Russian tourists use the parole program, which grants visitors from the said countries 45 days of stay in the CNMI.

However, some construction workers were discovered to have entered the CNMI as tourists using the parole program. The said laborers are working for contractors and subcontractors tapped by Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC to build its multi-million dollar Imperial Pacific Resort.

CBP program manager and public affairs liaison Frank Falcon said this is one of the reasons why they would intensify their enforcement and screening actions in the hopes of limiting and putting an end on the said practice.

“CBP’s primary mission is protecting the [U.S.] borders from persons or things that pose a threat to our country, while permitting lawful travel and trade to persons and things that pose no threat,” Falcon told Saipan Tribune in an email.

“CBP is aware the conditional parole poses enforcement challenges for those who attempt to misuse the program for purposes not intended, but also represents unique opportunities for those who wish to travel lawfully to the CNMI as bona fide tourists.

He added the enhanced enforcement done by CBP officers in the CNMI had already resulted to more than 800 removal actions from Oct. 1, 2016 to date of the current fiscal year. The removal actions are for persons attempting to abuse the conditional parole more than the program’s intention.

“This represents [over] 200 cases than the entire full fiscal year prior. CBP is doing its part, and will continue to further enhance its enforcement actions, all while working closely with our investigative partners in [Homeland Security Investigations], the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney [General].”

Falcon said CBP was also critical in the arrest made by their officers on two persons who were allegedly involved in the Chinese workers’ case while they were trying to leave the CNMI.

“CBP is proud of its critical role in arresting the persons recently reported in the media who attempted to depart the CNMI while the current FBI case remains under investigation,” added Falcon.

Xiufang Qi and Wencai Guo of Beilida Overseas (CNM) Ltd. were stopped and arrested on April 5 at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport for their alleged involvement in unlawfully hiring aliens and bringing in and harboring certain aliens.

Request to meet MCC

Rep. Vinson F. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) last week wrote to House Speaker Rafael S. Demapan requesting that a meeting be arranged between all members of the 20th House of Representatives and officials of MCC International Saipan.

“During a meeting with [CBP] on April 10, I informed them that I will be submitting an officials request to set up a meeting with MCC International Saipan, a unit of state-owned Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd.,” Sablan said in the letter to Demapan.

“The reason for this request is based on numerous unanswered questions from fellow representatives as well as questions that were raised by our constituents in light of recent issues.”

It is not yet known what was Demapan’s response or what would be the plan of the leadership of the 20th CNMI Legislature.