Amnesty seekers hit 1,000 mark

The number of overstaying aliens seeking amnesty has hit the 1,000 mark since a program granting limited immunity was put in place early this month, and the Department of Labor and Immigration said 169 of them have already been employed.

The department is expecting the number to grow in view of plans by the Legislature and the administration to shorten the amnesty period from six to three months.

According to Jeff Camacho, head of the task force implementing the amnesty, 1,122 illegal workers and tourists have registered under the program aimed at helping them find lawful jobs.

Camacho said in a phone interview that Chinese nationals account for 48 percent of the overstayers who applied for immunity at 548, followed by Filipinos at 416.

One hundred twelve Bangladeshis, 18 Koreans, 13 Sri Lankans, 7 Nepalese, 4 Thais, 2 Japanese, 1 Hong Kong Chinese, and 1 Indian registered under the program, which was put in place as part of the government’s plan to thwart federal takeover.

“The figures tell us that there are still a lot of illegals out there. We hope they would come out and register,” Camacho said in light of plans to cut short the registration period, which ends in June.

Under a threat of federal takeover, the program granting amnesty to thousands of overstaying foreigners was put in place to address concerns raised by Washington over the growing presence of guest workers in the Northern Marianas.

Officials are expecting close between 1,000 and 2,000 illegal aliens to avail of the limited immunity in six months 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 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.