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House OKs CW-1 resolution
HJR 20-07 adapted to ‘ensure growing economy continues’
The House of Representatives unanimously passed yesterday a joint resolution that seeks to have the CW-1 program extended past its 2019 expiration. House Joint Resolution 20-07 now heads to the Senate for action.
The House adapted it on a vote of 16-0.
Reps. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), Alice Igitol (R-Saipan), vice speaker Janet Maratita (R-Saipan), and its author, Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), were absent from the House session.
H.J.R. 20-07 supports Gov. Ralph DLG Torres as well as the CNMI private sector in their endeavor to seek an extension on the CNMI-only Transitional Worker Program, or the CW-1 program through a legislative amendment to U.S. Public Law 110-229.
The resolution was introduced after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced in November that the CW-1 slots for fiscal year 2018 will be reduced by 3,000. Majority of the CNMI foreign labor workforce are under the program.
According to P.L. 110-229, or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, the number of CW-1 slots are to be reduced every fiscal year until the program ends on Dec. 31, 2019.
The Northern Marianas Business Alliance Corp., a group of businesses, would be heading to Washington, D.C. to support Torres in his request for an extension.
“Everybody gets affected if [the CW-1 program] does not continue,” said NMBAC board chair Alex Sablan. “We are going to try and negotiate a number [of CW-1 slots] to help us continue our economy, which is flourishing.”
Sablan pointed out that the CNMI economy’s rise is a result of the program.
“In order to continue this momentum, we need to have the workforce,” he said, adding that there are three hotels on the way that need a large amount of workers.
H.J.R. 20-07 would be sent to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), and other key members in the decision-making process.
“…They would know that from [the CNMI legislative standpoint], we are in support of the legislation [amending P.L. 110-229],” Demapan said. “I would also like to personally ask the head of USCIS to please consider and allow us to avail of the CW-1 program.”
Torres heads for Washington, D.C. after attending the two-day Western Governors Association meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.
