Stateless no more

At least 180 individuals who call themselves “stateless” will see the first ray of hope today when Gov. Juan N. Babauta signs the measure that would give them permanent residency status in the Commonwealth.

The signing of House Bill 14-97 would take place three days before the scheduled departure of the governor to Washington D.C. where he would take the “stateless” issue a step higher, endorsing it to U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, who chairs the U.S. House Committee on Government Reforms’ Subcommittee on Wellness and Human Rights.

The measure amends the law that defines the “immediate relative status” for those under the age of 21. With the amendment, this would allow individuals born between Jan. 1, 1974 and Nov. 3, 1986 to get permanent IR status upon reaching 21 and thereafter.

Babauta would hold the signing ceremony today at 11am at the House chamber to celebrate the milestone with legislators who actively supported the bill, particularly Rep. Clyde Norita, who introduced the measure.

According to legal counsel Steve Newman, the governor asked the House leadership if he could hold the ceremony at the House chamber. The House agreed.

“The governor will confidently sign into law House Bill 14-97 [today] at 11am,” said Newman. He said individuals who may be interested to witness the signing ceremony are welcome to attend, particularly the more than 180 stateless individuals in the Commonwealth.

The stateless measure resurfaced early this year when a group of individuals sought the assistance of the 14th CNMI House of Legislature as their IR status was nearing its expiration.

Norita, after thorough review of the issues, held separate public hearings to look into the case.

According to the legislator, some of the children have reached the age of 21 and can no longer be considered immediate relatives under the labor and immigration laws of the Commonwealth.

“It is the intent of the Legislature to allow these children to live and work in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” Norita said.

The amendment reads: “Immediate relative” means children, under the age of 21, whether natural or adopted, spouse and parents; provided, however, that no alien shall derive immediate relative status from a U.S. citizen child who is less than 21 years of age and, provided further, that a person born in the Northern Mariana Islands between and including January 1, 1974 to November 3, 1986 shall not lose their immediate relative status upon reaching the age of 21 years or thereafter.”

After today’s ceremony, the governor would hand-carry two lists of stateless individuals to Washington on Sunday. He would discuss with Rep. Burton the comprehensive and accurate list of qualified individuals that must be included in a legislation that is being considered, which would grant these individuals U.S. citizenship.

Based on records, individuals who are eligible to register as “stateless persons” are those who were born and raised in the Commonwealth between Jan. 1, 1974, and Nov. 4, 1986, whose parents are not U.S. citizens.

The bill also amended 3 CMC § 4412(i) as “Nonresident worker” means any available individual who is at least 18 years old and who is capable of performing services or labor desired by an employer and who is not a resident worker. Nonresident worker shall not include any immediate relative, spouse or children including legally adopted children of a U.S. citizen, any foreign investor, or a person born in the Northern Mariana Islands between and including January 1, 1974 to November 3, 1986.