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New visa category for foreign retirees in CNMI pushed anew
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to communicate to the CNMI whether it will study or at least consider creating a new visa category for foreign retirees in the CNMI, almost a year since Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) brought up the issue in separate letters with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano in August and September 2011.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Douglas Brennan is bringing this request once again to Napolitano’s attention in Thursday’s letter that also asks for a five-year extension of the federal immigration transition period.
Brennan said the creation of new visa categories in the CNMI for foreign retirees is a way to stimulate real estate transactions, create a broader customer base for products in the CNMI, and provide quality residents in the CNMI that already has strong ties with Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries.
He attached in his letter copies of the August 2011 letter from Fitial and September 2011 letter from Sablan, bringing the matter to DHS’ attention.
“The SCC asks for your consideration in communicating with Governor Fitial about his Aug. 25, 2011, letter to DHS,” Brennan told Napolitano.
Fitial is currently in Washington, D.C. but it’s not immediately known whether his itinerary includes a meeting with Napolitano or any top DHS official on matters affecting the CNMI.
U.S. Public Law 110-229, the law that placed CNMI immigration under federal control, allows for the governors of the CNMI and/or Guam to request from the DHS secretary new visa categories under which the CNMI’s plans and investments for retirement communities would still be viable under the new federal immigration authority, Fitial had told Napolitano.
He said many businesses and civic organizations have identified the Asian retiree market as a natural economic extension or progression, based upon current visitor demographics.
Sablan, in a September 2011 letter to the Chamber’s Brennan, said he also wrote to Napolitano asking for a timetable for her response to Fitial’s letter and encouraging her prompt consideration of the request.
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
