Congressional delegation fails to see Fitial

A visiting congressional delegation composed of staff members of the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary met yesterday with some members of the Legislature, the Attorney General, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and workers’ groups, but failed to see Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.

The delegation’s leader, Tony Babauta, who is the staff director of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, refused to comment about their visit. The group is leaving today, Tuesday.

It was reported earlier that the delegation wants to make sure that the intent of Public Law 110-229 or the federalization law is being met and, to the greatest extent possible, minimize any adverse economic and fiscal effects as the law is implemented.

Press secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial failed to meet the delegation because of an urgent situation developing—the arrest and indictment of Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez.

“So it’s so unfortunate that the governor was not able to meet with them. They have a very busy schedule. They are here for a limited amount of time today [Monday],” Reyes said.

Reyes said the delegation met with Attorney General Matthew Gregory before proceeding to the Legislature.

“We’re not familiar with the purpose of their trip. I can’t say because we don’t know what the agenda was,” he added.

After a meeting with some senators in the Senate chamber, the delegation had a 30-minute discussion with House Speaker Arnold Palacios and House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho.

Palacios told Saipan Tribune that the meeting was actually more of a courtesy call.

Palacios said the primary purpose of these congressional staff is to meet with CNMI leaders regarding federal immigration law.

He said the delegation wants to make sure local leaders are being involved in the rule-making process by giving them an opportunity to air some of the concerns.

“We did express some of our concerns,” Palacios said.

The speaker said they impressed upon the group the CMMI’s concerns with the timeline, particularly for the tourism visa waiver.

He said the Russian and Chinese tourism markets could potentially be impacted by the federalization law.

“The visa waiver for the Japanese and Korean tourism is not a problem. We want to see if there is a possibility of a special rule and consider the Russian and Chinese tourist that is beginning to develop in the Commonwealth,” Palacios said.

Camacho said the meeting went well. “It was basically a courtesy visit on the part of delegation. We did air our concerns that we want the positions and the concerns of the CNMI to be considered in drafting the rules and regulations with regards to immigration,” Camacho said.

After the Legislature’s meeting, the delegation was set for a meeting with the Chamber.

At 2:30pm Babauta’s delegation then had a meeting with some leaders and officials of workers’ groups Dekada Movement, Coalition of United Workers, and Human Dignity Movement at Java Joe’s in Dandan.

The Coalition and Human Dignity Movement handed their position papers requesting, among other things, for improved immigration status for long-term alien workers.