Legislators prod gov’t to fight federal takeover

A proposal to extend U.S. immigration laws to the Northern Marianas would have “adverse consequences” on the local economy and bring the island back to heavy federal dole-outs, according to members of the CNMI House of Representatives.

In a resolution adopted ahead of the oversight hearing by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, local lawmakers asked the panel to seek alternative solutions to correct immigration problems on the island, rather than full application of the federal laws here.

They reiterated the need to take into account the “unique” conditions in the Commonwealth and maintain its self-government status as provided under its Covenant agreement with Washington in order to develop its fledgling economy.

The U.S. Senate panel must “consider the adverse consequences of the implementation of such law would have on the overall economy and general welfare” of the local people, representatives said.

Bilateral relations between CNMI and Washington have soured in recent years over disagreement on local handling of the island’s immigration and labor policies.

The Clinton Administration has charged the Commonwealth of failing to curb the number of nonresident workers on the island, prompting them to propose to the Congress to strip CNMI powers over these functions.

The Commonwealth has in the past repeatedly opposed any move to amend the Covenant, warning against its devastating impact on its economy. They have instead sought assistance from the federal government to enforce immigration and labor laws on the island.

While the resolution, offered by Rep. Melvin Faisao who chairs the House Federal and Foreign Relations Committee, has no force of effect, legislators said they want to express their opposition against a legislation seeking extension of the Immigration and Nationality Act to the CNMI.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which deals with island issues, has postponed its scheduled hearing last August 3 to next month to coincide with another oversight by its counterpart in the lower chamber, the House Natural Resources Committee.

Several island officials, led by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, as well as representatives from the local business community have been asked to testify before the panel on the federal takeover bill sponsored jointly by Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Daniel Akaka.

In an interview yesterday, Faisao expressed relief over the committee’s decision to push back the hearing to mid-September, noting that it would give more time for the Commonwealth to strengthen its position on the proposal.

He said the postponement would also help the local government and the private sector to save travel expenses as they would not have to go to Washington D.C. twice.

Tenorio and members of his administration, however, had left the island just before Murkowski decided to move the hearing to a later date.

Faisao praised local business groups, including the hotel association and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, for lobbying for the postponement. “They will be given enough time to prepare comprehensive presentation to the Congress,” he said.

The hearing next month follows the oversight conducted by the same Senate panel in March last year which tackled another takeover measure that was not voted by the full body.