Previous Story
FY’15 limit set for CW-1 program
WASHINGTON, D.C—The Department of Homeland Security will allow up to 13,999 nonimmigrants for fiscal year 2015 for the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program. DHS published the notice in yesterday’s Federal Register.
Under the CW-1 program, employers in the CNMI can apply for temporary permission to employ foreign nationals who are ineligible for any existing employment-based nonimmigrant category under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The CW program is in effect until Dec. 31, 2019. DHS set the CW-1 limit for fiscal year 2015 at 13,999—a reduction of one from the fiscal year 2014 limit of 14,000—to meet the CNMI’s existing labor market needs and provide opportunity for potential growth, while meeting a regulatory requirement to reduce the numerical limit each year.
Yesterday’s announcement does not affect the status of current CW-1 workers unless their employer files for an extension of their current authorized period of stay. Approved petitions with an employment-start date in fiscal year 2015 (between Oct. 1, 2014, and Sept. 30, 2015) will count toward the 13,999 limit. The numerical limit applies only to CW-1 principals. It does not directly affect persons currently holding CW-2 status, which is for spouses and minor children of CW-1 nonimmigrants. However, CW-2 nonimmigrants may be indirectly affected because their status depends upon that of the principal CW-1.
For more information and announcements about immigration benefits in the CNMI, visit our CNMI Web page at www.uscis.gov/cnmi. (USCIS)
