Kilili reintroduces CW bill in Congress
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) reintroduced his bill last week in the U.S. House of Representatives after the opening session of the 115th Congress. House Resolution 339 aims to increase the number of people allowed to hold the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Nonimmigrant Visa or CW1 visa.
HR 339 is the same bill as HR 6401 or the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Expansion Act. The measure was already referred to the Natural Resources and Judiciary committees of the House on Jan. 5.
HR 6401 aims to amend Public Law 94-241 that approved the Covenant to establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in political union with the U.S. HR 6401 passed the House in late November but the Senate in the last Congress failed to act on it before it adjourned.
If the bill becomes law, it would add 2,002 more workers to the current limit of 12,998, bringing the numerical cap to 15,000, which would return it to the same level of 15,000, almost four years ago.
“The 115th Congress convened last Tuesday. I know we can work successfully in a Republican-led Congress, like we have done for the last two years. Though the prospect of a new President on Jan. 20 creates some uncertainty, I have no doubt about what the priorities will continue to be for the people I represent in the CNMI,” said Sablan.
“The bill provides an extra 2,002 workers—returning us to the 2013 level of 15,000—but only for 2017. [However], even with 15,000 foreign workers (based on CNMI government data), majority of the jobs in the Marianas economy will still be held by U.S. workers,” he added.
HR 339 would also raise to $200 the fee that employers would pay for each CW1 permit applied. The money would then be used to train locals that would replace foreign workers.
CNMI government officials, led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, the Strategic Economic Development Council, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., and other sectors from the community support HR 339.
Sablan said that addressing the need for more workers to help the CNMI’s growing economy remains one of his central concerns. “That means making sure that U.S. immigration works to help, not hurt us and making sure that our own people get the education they need to lead productive lives.”
He added that he looks forward to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s promise to rebuild infrastructure. “If we want to continue our economic growth, we have to have the infrastructure that development requires.”
“I look forward to President-elect Trump’s promise to rebuild infrastructure. The Marianas already lags behind the rest of America when it comes to the cost of electricity, 24-hour water, and adequate waste disposal systems.”
“….The money would then be used to train locals that would replace foreign workers”.
How many years we have heard this and been told this, yet all talk and very little action by the local Govt.. Even when local workers are trained and willing to work the private sector will not hire them as has been repeatedly shown.
Many that go for training also do not want to work and only go for “training” so to keep their food stamps as wages and food stamps are disproportionate compared to the US mainland due to the low wage in the CNMI.
From what was posted past, those that work for present minimum wage will lose much in food stamps and medicaid. Private sector and Govt. will not pay a livable wage unless one is well politically and family connected where they do not need to know anything to get a high paying appointed job.
With strong anti-immigration sentiment among national republicans where would this measure go? An exercise in futility?
I may be seeing things wrong? Just because the Republicans have a majority accross the board, that does not mean we will get favorable results in regards to immigration. Trump wants to get rid of illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities. Saipan is a “SANCTUARY COMMONWEALTH”!
The CNMI Rep. party is more like the US Dem party beliefs and not along the lines of the US Rep. But to be more precise the local politicians (both sides) do not actually follow any kind of principals (they don’t have any) as they just do their own individual thing and not have any convictions and will change sides and thinking as long as it is too their own personal benefit.
I posted a comment a little while ago and was not posted? Was I censored and if so, I should have been notified?
My post went like this: Maybe I am thinking wrong? Just because the Republicans have control accross the board does not mean we will get preferential treatment in regards to immigration! Trump wants to kick out illegal immigrants and do away with sanctuary cities. We live in a sanctuary Commonwealth!
This should be illegal.
Maybe the Marianas lags behind America because the politicians pocket the funds! And are lazy!
The CW thing is a mess. Even if Kilili’s bill passes, we will still have the mass of red tape for each worker.