Petition for green card fee waiver has 130 signatures so far
A petition to waive the “green card” application fee and other requirements for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens has so far gathered 130 signatures, according to United Workers Movement NMI acting president Rabby Syed.
Immediate relatives of U.S. and Freely Associated States citizens are rushing to secure a “green card” or face losing their immigration status by June 1 when the federal government takes over CNMI immigration, unless extended.
Of the 130 signatures, about 30 were gathered at the Sabalu Market in Susupe on Saturday.
Syed said the group will continue to gather signatures for the petition addressed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“We will have a petition drive at the Tuesday market in Garapan, and also on Tinian and Rota. I don’t have the signatures from those in Kagman yet…We’re asking the local residents to also support our petition and we thank those who are giving us advice and feedback,” Syed said yesterday.
Syed said a green card application costs more than $3,000, and most IRs eligible to apply for a green card cannot meet the minimum income requirement set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Our minimum wage in the CNMI is different from the mainland. It’s difficult to meet the federal government’s income requirements based on the number of household members,” said Syed, adding that these IRs face losing their immigration status on June 1.
He said the group will also be seeking the support of CNMI Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan to their petition.
Syed said a sponsor with two household members must have an annual income of at least $17,500 based on the 2008 poverty guidelines, which he described as impossible to meet given that the minimum wage in the CNMI is only $4.05 an hour.
He cited some fees required: federal fee for petitioning an alien relative, $355; for an adjustment to permanent status, $930; fingerprinting fee; $80. These fees are in addition to the medical examination fee of $800; and an estimated attorney’s fee of $1,000. Green card applicants and sponsors may soon have the fingerprinting on Saipan instead of going to Guam.
