Lawyer outlines options for guest workers after June 1

A Guam-based expert on U.S. immigration laws and regulations met with guest workers of different nationalities yesterday to talk about several options for them to remain on Saipan after U.S. Immigration officials take charge in June next year.

In an open forum at the Saipan Community Church, lawyer Nelson J. Xu of L.A. Baumann & Associates emphasized that alien workers must have a legitimate reason to stay to be able to convince Immigration officials to let one stay on the islands.

A woman asked if could she still stay on Saipan while looking for another employer, in case her contract expires after June 1.

Xu quipped: “Are you married? I ask this because it’s the easiest way and it’s one of the options.”

“But seriously, you must have a legitimate reason to stay. If your contract will expire beyond June 1, that’s fine. And if you would be able to renew the contract, it’s even better,” he said.

Xu also stated that anyone who wants to enter Guam from Saipan would have to go to the U.S. Embassy in their mother country because “guest workers don’t have the chance to work in Guam after June 1, 2009.”

Xu also talked about visas, green cards, fees and application procedures.

Xu’s law firm deals with different immigration procedures such as exemption of H-visa limitations, investor visa, Commonwealth transnational workers, removal of aliens, registration, employment authorization, overstay, Guam and CNMI waiver programs, and immigrant visa option, among others.

The forum on the CNMI Immigration Reform and Non-Immigrant Visa was organized by the United Workers Movement led by its president, Irene Tantiado.

Tantiado said Xu’s company also conducted a similar seminar here in July but they charged participants in that seminar.

This time, she said, Xu gave his services for free, except for the plane ticket, which was paid for by several organizations.

At the forum, the Philippine Consulate General set up a booth for Overseas Workers Welfare Administration membership application and renewal.

Among those who participated in the forum were guest workers from Thailand, Korea, China, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

“This forum is primarily to educate the public about the available options they could avail of,” Tantiado said.