Marianas legislators work on establishing Marianas Visa Program
Legislators of the Marianas have banded together to pass a resolution to repeal the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW1) program and establish the Marianas Visa Program to cater to the Marianas’ workforce needs.
During the Mariana Islands Legislature Association conference over two weeks ago, lawmakers from the CNMI and Guam passed MILA resolution No. 05-GA-2 which was introduced by floor leader Rep. Edwin Propst (D-Saipan), Sen. Jesse A. Lujan (R-Guam), and a number of other Guam and CNMI legislators.
The resolution essentially urgently requests the U.S. Congress to repeal the CW1 program and approve a non-immigrant worker visa program, named the “Marianas Visa Program” that is tailored to meet the unique and urgent needs of Guam and the CNMI.
Pursuant to the resolution, Marianas legislators are further requesting the U.S. Congress to establish a federal “Marianas Regional Commission.”
In a statement from Propst, he said the resolution is a testament to the collaboration of the CNMI and Guam.
“This House resolution received unanimous support from the Guam Legislature as well as Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio. We are grateful for the collaborative efforts between our Marianas leaders, both in government and the private sector. These ideas culminated from the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s president Joe Guerrero and former president Alex Sablan as well as other members of the Chamber and Legislature. We know it is a big ask and request, but we believe with unified efforts coming from the Marianas, we have a stronger voice. We believe our economies will be strengthened if this resolution is honored and carried through. In politics, no asking, no getting,” he said.
The CNMI-only transitional worker program, otherwise known as the CW1 Program, will be terminated in December 2029, and the “Temporary Need Exemption” for certain H2B workers in Guam and the CNMI will also be terminated in December 2029.
The CW1 Program has a cap of 13,000 workers—a cap that is reduced annually by 1,000 workers.
In fiscal year 2025, the CW1 cap shall be limited to 9,000 workers and does not authorize the hiring of construction and extraction occupations.
Currently, there are approximately 5,000 CW1 workers in the CNMI and the CNMI may need as many 15,000 foreign workers to meet the demands of the growing economy and the development of new industries.
Currently, Guam has over 5,500 H2B workers, but needs approximately 15,000 foreign workers or more to meet the demands of the local construction industry, tourism industry, the military buildup, and the development of new industries
“The recovery and sustained economic growth in Guam and the CNMI economies will be fostered by the establishment of a federal “Marianas Regional Commission,” co-chaired by a presidential appointee, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and with co-chairs selected by the Governors of Guam and the CNMI, to streamline federal programs focusing on infrastructure, local construction industry, transportation, workforce development, military buildup, climate and environmental risks, and other regional priority concerns,” said the resolution.
Edwin K. Propst
