Fitial says feds should clear ambiguities regarding transition phase

Fitial says feds should clear ambiguities regarding transition phase

Thursday, 22 October 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Reporter

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial says he looks forward to his meeting with visiting U.S. Department of Homeland Security as there are “a lot of ambiguities” regarding U.S. immigration rules that will be implemented here starting on Nov. 28.

The DHS officials are scheduled to meet with local lawmakers this morning and will separately hold talks with Fitial.

“I plan to talk with them about the adverse effects of the federalization law. The regulations that have been issued are not in our interest. They are taking away our investors, our tourists, the Chinese and Russian tourists, as well as our foreign students,” the governor told the Variety.

“There must be a balance in trying to protect our borders without getting rid of our resources,” he added.

Fitial said he sees the visit as an opportunity to raise his administration’s concerns.

He also expressed hope that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where he filed a lawsuit against the federalization law, would rule in the CNMI’s favor.

“I strongly believe that this is not right [the federalization law]. You don’t see this happening in California. We are being mistreated. We don’t need them to come here and tell us what is best for us,” he added.