The delays in the processing of Commonwealth-only work permits for foreign workers have a substantial impact to the CNMI, according to the Commonwealth\u2019s Department of Labor.<\/p>\n
Labor Secretary Edith DeLeon Guerrero said the recent situation of workers being unable to work and businesses closing down is absolutely a concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just really don\u2019t know what the actual number that was really affected was,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said, but several businesses having to close their doors would have a ripple effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen these things happen it does affect also the revenue collection of the Commonwealth. The ripple effect of not just not having the workers in place but also the sales of the company, that trickles down to the collection of taxes for the state so there is a lot of effect happening as a result of this,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said<\/p>\n
The labor secretary said their department is coordinating with the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services\u00a0in addressing the delays.<\/p>\n
DeLeon Guerrero said she spoke with USCIS District 26 director David G. Gulick to discuss some concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are working vigorously to get those petitions out and get the visas out too,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said, \u201cHopefully by this week or next week we\u2019re going to get better results.\u201d<\/p>\n
Employers are reminded to process their permits in a \u201ctimely manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that USCIS always encourages employers to process timely their petitions. Again, it\u2019s good to put it in earlier rather than later too close to the expiration dates,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said.<\/p>\n
She added that although USCIS does not specifically state a certain number of days, it would be better to submit permit applications early, even before the recommended 90 days prior to the expiration.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an employer, you would take that upon yourself to consider what is timely,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said, \u201cIt is best to put it in earlier than the expiration date.\u201d<\/p>\n
For their department, DeLeon Guerrero assured that there are no delays in the processing of requirements for employers to be able to file their permit applications.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy policy in the department is that we have to be very responsive,\u201d DeLeon Guerrero said, \u201cWe treat everybody the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all working together. We all have to work collaboratively in partnership with the office of USCIS. We\u2019re all working together. We all have to work collaboratively in partnership with the office of USCIS,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
DeLeon Guerrero also reiterated that applicants can check their case status online and see if their case has been adjudicated. If so, then they can print it out and workers may be able to report for work again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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