Immunity law takes effect tomorrow

The Department of Labor and Immigration will begin implementing tomorrow a program granting amnesty to thousands of overstaying foreigners in the Northern Marianas under a new law aimed at fending off federal takeover attempts.

Officials are expecting close between 1,000 and 2,000 illegal aliens to avail of the limited immunity in six months beginning December 2 and seek lawful employment in CNMI. Some lawmakers placed the number of overstayers to at least 5,000.

The federal government, worried over mounting labor problems and increasing number of babies born to guest workers who later acquire US citizenship, has been pushing to take away local control of immigration and labor.

Non-resident workers, tourists, students, missionaries or holders of short or long-term business permits who have entered the commonwealth on or before January 1, 1998 are eligible to avail of the program.

However, illegals facing deportation, subject of a bench warrant for failure to appear in a deportation proceeding, or convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors of a crime involving moral turpitude are not covered by the law.

Those who will qualify for amnesty will be issued limited immunity temporary work authorization to enable them find jobs within 90 days. Eligible aliens will be charged $100 for LITWA which will go the Deportation Fund, money to be used to repatriate applicants who failed secure a one-year work permit.

Employers who will hire LITWA holders must seek approval of the department following procedures provided in the Non-resident Workers Act within 90 days from the date of issuance of the LITWA.

Workers will be required to undergo health screening in accordance with the regulations put in place by the Department of Public Health. Employers must shoulder fees for medical tests, health certificates and processing of one year work permit.

Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said DPH personnel will assist the labor and immigration department to ensure that overstaying guest workers who will be legalized will undergo the mandatory health screening.

“We will be there to offer a helping hands to persons covered by the amnesty law,” he said in a press release, “We are very concerned that illegal workers who are afraid of being deported are also afraid to get health care for themselves.”