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DOLI: Immunity is working well
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Posted on Feb 16 1999
A total of 1655 overstaying aliens have already availed the limited immunity program of the CNMI government based on the recent count made by the Department of Labor and Immigration.
From this group, close to 600 individuals have secured temporary employment, while 21 had signed work contract good for one year.
Both the Chinese and the Filipinos lead the pack, accounting around 500 amnesty seekers for each group. Bangladeshis and other nationals are also availing the amnesty to legalize their stay in the CNMI.
“Yes, it’s doing good,” according to Jeff Camacho, who heads the task force implementing the amnesty.
He also believes that the limited immunity will continue until June this year and not earlier as others have predicted. However, DOLI can accommodate the 2000 expected illegal aliens even before its deadline in June.
When it was launched last December, it gathered 1000 overstaying aliens on the same month. Reluctant aliens took a wait and see attitude before deciding to come out, judging from the outcome of its first applicants.
The program was put in place to address concerns raised by Washington over the increasing number of guest workers in the CNMI.
It covers non-resident workers, tourists, students, missionaries or holder of short or long term business permits who have entered the CNMI on or before January 1, 1998.
Temporary work authorization will be issued to qualified aliens to enable them to find jobs within 90 days.
However, those illegal aliens who are facing deportation, subject of bench warrant for failure to appear in deportation proceedings or convicted felony or two or more misdemeanor of a crime involving moral turpitude are not eligible.
