Overstaying engineer is subject of manhunt
Immigration agents have launched a manhunt against a Filipino engineer who has been allegedly overstaying in the CNMI and eluding authorities.
Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman issued Monday an arrest warrant against 38-year-old Francisco A. Romero Jr., after the Attorney general’s Office initiated deportation proceedings against the civil engineer.
Assistant attorney general Ian Catlett petitioned the court to compel Romero to explain why he should not be deported from the CNMI.
Based on an affidavit submitted to court, Immigration inspector Colin R. Sablan said he discovered on June 27 this year that Romero had failed to depart the CNMI.
Records showed that Romero had previously worked in the CNMI as civil engineer. However, Sablan said Romero entered the CNMI on March 16 this year under a short-term tourist entry status, which initially expired on April 15.
Sablan said Romero’s tourist status has been extended, but the new expiration date expired on May 15.
Sablan said Romero has then become an overstaying alien without lawful documentation and authority to remain in the CNMI and has been eluding authorities.
“I have repeatedly contacted [Romero’s] sponsor to have [him] depart the CNMI or report to Immigration, but they have not responded to my request,” said Colin, who disclosed the sponsor’s name as Wence Thomas Aquino.
The judge ordered Romero’s arrest and confiscation of travel documents, setting bail at $1,000.