Trump’s immigration ban will not affect CWs

U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s recent immigration ban—a 60-day hold on green cards he ordered in the name of protecting American jobs amid the coronavirus outbreak—will not impact workers in the CNMI.

According to Alex Sablan, president of the Northern Marianas Business Alliance, their group has been assured that the President’s executive order will not impact guest worker programs, to include the Commonwealth’s CW-1 guest worker visa program.

Trump signed the executive order last Thursday, temporarily suspending, for 60 days the entry of immigrants into the United States, in particular those who are outside the country, and who do not have a valid immigrant visa, nor an official travel document that would permit the individual to travel to the U.S.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) explained that the “pause” is for State Department Green Card awardees who are currently overseas. It is for individuals who would be coming into the United States via the State Department immigrant program.

“This covers those awarded permanent residence under the diversity lottery, employment green cards, and family green cards. They do not cover nonimmigrants who are already in the country under work visas,” the delegate added.

Further, the immigration suspension does not apply to U.S. lawful permanent residents; spouses and children (under 21) of U.S. citizens; those entering the U.S. pursuant to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program; or any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their spouses and children.

Those on immigrant visa as a physician, nurse, or other health care professional, who would come to perform research to combat the spread of COVID-19, or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak are also exempt, including their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old.

Sablan said that they are thankful to Trump and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ administration for working closely to ensure the CNMI economy will not be disrupted.

“We all will soon work toward reopening our economy so that all our citizens and guest workers can get back to full employment and our economy can flourish again beyond this COVID-19 pandemic disaster,” he said. “Until then, any reprieve the CNMI can receive is a step in the right direction towards this end result.”