Palacios reiterates appeal to repeal—or at least delay—touchback provision

If given a chance, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios certainly would like to reiterate his appeal to President Joseph Biden and U.S. Congress to repeal or at the very least delay the implementation of the “touchback” provision of the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker program, which is due to go into effect in a week.

Palacios, in an interview, said as of yesterday he has not received any development regarding the “touchback” provision from the Biden-Harris administration.

He said they had already asked U.S. Congress and U.S. Homeland Security to repeal or delay the implementation and they are still hoping to receive good development.

The governor said they are mindful that anything about immigration is very sensitive right now in U.S. Congress. “We’re hoping that they will understand our situation,” he pointed out.

Palacios said something they need to take a look at and begin to address, even the businesses, is how they can stagger the years and the number of workers who are going to take a touchback this year, versus next year, rather than have all of them leave at once.

“We made a pitch. I know the [Saipan Chamber of Commerce] and members of the business community have gone to Washington, D.C. [to get support]. And we’re still very hopeful. We always got to be hopeful,” he said.

The governor said he reiterated the need for urgent congressional support for legislation on that specific issue during a recent U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources oversight field hearing in Guam.

“Every opportunity that I have and I get it,” he said.

Palacios repeatedly stated in previous statements that the “touchback” provision will adversely impact many businesses in the CNMI when implemented.