USCIS: Be careful of false advertisements
Wednesday, 09 December 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Reporter
OFFICIALS of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said some people may take advantage of Guest workers, foreign investors and employers gathered on Friday at American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center to listen to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials discuss federal immigration law. CNMI’s new immigration system in the wake of reports that some individuals in China are falsely claiming that foreigners can get U.S. permanent residency status or a green card in the commonwealth.
David Gulick, district director of the USCIS, said if the information sounds too good to be true, don’t believe it.
“What we want to make people aware of is when people promise you something that seems too good to be true, like everybody will get a green card on Nov. 28, don’t believe it,” he told the Variety.
Marie Thérèse Sebrechts, Department of Homeland Security-USCIS regional media manager for Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI, said people should be very wary about rumors and should be alert for immigration fraud.
Her warning came after a person inquired about a false advertisement circulating in an undisclosed part of China wherein certain individuals are selling their services to assist Chinese to get into the CNMI which was described as a place where they could get a green card.
“I told that individual that’s not true,” she said.
“This can happen at a time when there’s confusion, some people will believe if someone says, ‘You pay me $5,000 or $10,000 I can get you a green card,’ ” she added.
The USCIS said there are no confirmed victims yet of the false advertisements in China.
“The message is be very careful. Please use the resources that are available. Use the .gov site. We have appointments, come in. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you want legal help hire an attorney,” Sebrechts said.
The USCIS officials also noted that all forms from their office are free and that people should only get information from the official Web sites of federal agencies.
“All U.S. government web sites end in .gov. Downloading forms is free,” said Sebrechts.
Information about the CNMI’s new immigration system can be accessed at www.uscis.gov.
The USCIS said it has published the E-2 investor rule, transitional worker rule, the conforming rule, and other information materials on its CNMI Web site.
Showing posts with label US Citizenship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Citizenship. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Friday, December 04, 2009
House rejects proposed Marianas Political Commission
House rejects proposed Marianas Political Commission
Friday, 04 December 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Reporter
HOUSE lawmakers rejected yesterday a bill that proposes to re-examine the islands’ political union with the U.S.
Introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, House Bill 16-271, or the Second Marianas Political and Economic Status Commission Act of 2009, was defeated by just one vote.
Seven voted against it — Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan; Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan; Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan; Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan; Joseph C. Reyes, R-Saipan; Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan; and David M. Apatang, R-Saipan.
Voting in favor were Torres, R-Saipan; Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan; Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan; House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan; Edwin P. Aldan, Covenant-Tinian; and House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan.
Torres vowed to resurrect his bill when the 17th Legislature convenes next month.
Lawmakers who did not support the bill said the CNMI’s relationship with the U.S. maybe “rocky” sometimes, but the islands have so many much to thank America for — U.S. citizenship, free speech, public education, grants, welfare benefits, jobs, among other things.
Benavente, who chairs the House Committee on U.S. and Foreign Relations, said the CNMI should try to improve its relations with the federal government rather than changing its political status.
What the bill proposes, he added, “is not realistic,” and will involve the expenditure of taxpayer money.
Sablan said the proposal should be discussed in public meetings at the very least before legislators act on it.
She noted that the initial cost involved in forming the commission will be $200,000.
According to Torres, the commission will determine if the “terms of the Covenant are in the [local people’s] best interest or whether some other political status will better enable them to fulfill their aspirations of full and meaningful self-government.”
Friday, 04 December 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Reporter
HOUSE lawmakers rejected yesterday a bill that proposes to re-examine the islands’ political union with the U.S.
Introduced by Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, House Bill 16-271, or the Second Marianas Political and Economic Status Commission Act of 2009, was defeated by just one vote.
Seven voted against it — Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan; Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan; Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan; Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan; Joseph C. Reyes, R-Saipan; Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan; and David M. Apatang, R-Saipan.
Voting in favor were Torres, R-Saipan; Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan; Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan; House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan; Edwin P. Aldan, Covenant-Tinian; and House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan.
Torres vowed to resurrect his bill when the 17th Legislature convenes next month.
Lawmakers who did not support the bill said the CNMI’s relationship with the U.S. maybe “rocky” sometimes, but the islands have so many much to thank America for — U.S. citizenship, free speech, public education, grants, welfare benefits, jobs, among other things.
Benavente, who chairs the House Committee on U.S. and Foreign Relations, said the CNMI should try to improve its relations with the federal government rather than changing its political status.
What the bill proposes, he added, “is not realistic,” and will involve the expenditure of taxpayer money.
Sablan said the proposal should be discussed in public meetings at the very least before legislators act on it.
She noted that the initial cost involved in forming the commission will be $200,000.
According to Torres, the commission will determine if the “terms of the Covenant are in the [local people’s] best interest or whether some other political status will better enable them to fulfill their aspirations of full and meaningful self-government.”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The fast lane to first-class U.S. citizenship
The fast lane to first-class U.S. citizenship
by John Davis
As our government plans to begin the education portion of our quest towards political self determination, there’s another avenue that appears to bear more fruit than determining our island’s political status. That avenue is having our people recognized as a Native American tribe. Attempts to gain recognition of the Chamorro people as Native American tribes don’t effect the Guam quest for political self determination.
In fact, I view it as an enhancement to the current relationship with the U.S. Government.
Currently Chamorros are entitled to 2nd class U.S. Citizenship thanks to the passage of the Organic Act and the signing of the Treaty of Paris over a century ago. I say 2nd class citizenship or statutory citizenship because we don’t vote for president and we do not have equal representation in congress. We elect a delegate to congress, but they have no voting power on the floor. What makes matters worse is only certain parts of the U.S. Constitution and Basic Human Rights apply to Chamorro people because the U.S. Supreme Court recognized them and gave us those rights to 2nd class citizenship.
If Chamorro’s are recognized as a Native American tribe, members will be incorporated into an already existing federal law called the United States and the Indian naturalization Act. If the United States and Indian naturalization Act applies to members of the Chamorro Tribe, our existence as 2nd class U.S. citizens will end. Members of this Chamorro Tribe will be able to cast their vote for President, we might even get a vote that counts in the Electoral College and we will have equal voting representation in the U.S. Congress.
All it takes to be recognized as Native American is the approval of the Secretary of the U.S. department of interior. It doesn’t require an act of congress or special consideration from the president, but if it does happen, Guam and it’s Chamorro Native American tribe members will begin to reap real benefits from the federal government.
If Chamorro’s on Guam and abroad are recognized as a Native American tribe, members of the tribe would be able to help our island government with the upcoming military buildup, guaranteeing money before, during and after the buildup will stay on Guam. There is existing federal government policy related to the issuance of federal contracts that will help members of the Tribe.
That federal government policy entitles 30 percent of all federal government contracts to be awarded to Native American tribes. Native American tribes are also allowed to bid up to 30 percent over the contract amount and still receive special consideration as a Native American tribe. In fact, there is already a company doing business on Guam as a Native American Alaskan tribe, imagine the consideration they’re getting now and the consideration a Chamorro tribe would get if recognized by USDOI? Now that makes dollars and cents instead of dollars and nonsense.
Every year, money from the federal government is appropriated to recognized Native American tribes for schools, homes, businesses, public safety and healthcare. Our healthcare, education and public safety systems in our government could use some extra cash, which will be available if our people are recognized as a Native American tribe.
If you’re not a member of the Chamorro Tribe, sign up and get involved. Even the United Nations Expert on Political Status agreed gaining recognition as a Native American tribe was the express lane to equal treatment and equal representation from the U.S. Government. I say we follow his lead, but lead the way for our people.
by John Davis
As our government plans to begin the education portion of our quest towards political self determination, there’s another avenue that appears to bear more fruit than determining our island’s political status. That avenue is having our people recognized as a Native American tribe. Attempts to gain recognition of the Chamorro people as Native American tribes don’t effect the Guam quest for political self determination.
In fact, I view it as an enhancement to the current relationship with the U.S. Government.
Currently Chamorros are entitled to 2nd class U.S. Citizenship thanks to the passage of the Organic Act and the signing of the Treaty of Paris over a century ago. I say 2nd class citizenship or statutory citizenship because we don’t vote for president and we do not have equal representation in congress. We elect a delegate to congress, but they have no voting power on the floor. What makes matters worse is only certain parts of the U.S. Constitution and Basic Human Rights apply to Chamorro people because the U.S. Supreme Court recognized them and gave us those rights to 2nd class citizenship.
If Chamorro’s are recognized as a Native American tribe, members will be incorporated into an already existing federal law called the United States and the Indian naturalization Act. If the United States and Indian naturalization Act applies to members of the Chamorro Tribe, our existence as 2nd class U.S. citizens will end. Members of this Chamorro Tribe will be able to cast their vote for President, we might even get a vote that counts in the Electoral College and we will have equal voting representation in the U.S. Congress.
All it takes to be recognized as Native American is the approval of the Secretary of the U.S. department of interior. It doesn’t require an act of congress or special consideration from the president, but if it does happen, Guam and it’s Chamorro Native American tribe members will begin to reap real benefits from the federal government.
If Chamorro’s on Guam and abroad are recognized as a Native American tribe, members of the tribe would be able to help our island government with the upcoming military buildup, guaranteeing money before, during and after the buildup will stay on Guam. There is existing federal government policy related to the issuance of federal contracts that will help members of the Tribe.
That federal government policy entitles 30 percent of all federal government contracts to be awarded to Native American tribes. Native American tribes are also allowed to bid up to 30 percent over the contract amount and still receive special consideration as a Native American tribe. In fact, there is already a company doing business on Guam as a Native American Alaskan tribe, imagine the consideration they’re getting now and the consideration a Chamorro tribe would get if recognized by USDOI? Now that makes dollars and cents instead of dollars and nonsense.
Every year, money from the federal government is appropriated to recognized Native American tribes for schools, homes, businesses, public safety and healthcare. Our healthcare, education and public safety systems in our government could use some extra cash, which will be available if our people are recognized as a Native American tribe.
If you’re not a member of the Chamorro Tribe, sign up and get involved. Even the United Nations Expert on Political Status agreed gaining recognition as a Native American tribe was the express lane to equal treatment and equal representation from the U.S. Government. I say we follow his lead, but lead the way for our people.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Petition for 'green cards' begins
Petition for 'green cards' begins
Ahead of federal decision on immigration status of guest workers
Monday, November 16, 2009
By Haidee V. Eugenio
A petition seeking “green cards” or lawful permanent resident status for foreign workers and others with relatives who are U.S. or Freely Associated States citizens has started circulating ahead of the May 10, 2010, deadline for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to recommend to Congress whether a grant of permanent immigration status to nonresidents in the CNMI is necessary.
The Coalition of United Workers-NMI started circulating the petition on Nov. 9 but temporarily halted it to prioritize the issue of securing umbrella permits for “overstayers,” its president, Rene Reyes, said yesterday.
Reyes said they will resume the signature drive later this week.
Florida-based human rights activist and former Rota teacher Wendy Doromal started the online petition on Saturday, and expects to gather at least 5,000 signatures by January 2010.
“This is our last major push before the May 10, 2010, recommendation from the secretary of Interior to Congress regarding granting United States citizenship or some other permanent legal status to the nonresidents,” Doromal told Saipan Tribune when asked for comment.
The petition is addressed to President Obama, members of the U.S. Congress, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
As of 4pm Sunday, the online petition has gathered 69 signatures.
Ronnie Doca, board chairman of the United Workers Movement-NMI, said yesterday they will begin the signature drive on Tuesday, 6pm, at the Fiesta Pilipino by Juvy restaurant across the road from Saipan Grand Hotel in Susupe.
Doromal and the two organizations of foreign workers in the CNMI are using the same petition form.
CNRA requirement
The federal government will take over CNMI immigration on Nov. 28 pursuant to Public Law 110-229 or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, signed by President George W. Bush on May 8, 2008.
The CNRA requires the Interior secretary, in consultation with the Homeland Security secretary and the governor of the CNMI, to recommend to the U.S. Congress, as the secretary deems appropriate, a permanent immigration status to guest workers legally residing in the CNMI, by May 10, 2010.
Also included in the Interior's report are the numbers of aliens residing in the CNMI, a description of their legal status under federal law, the number of years each alien has been residing in the CNMI, and the current and future requirements of the local economy for an alien workforce.
Improved status
Over the last three years, Doromal has hand-delivered petitions and letters to the U.S. Congress and offices in Washington, D.C., seeking improved status for many in the CNMI.
The quest for improved immigration status, as the petition reads, is for foreign contract workers, CNMI permanent residents and their nonresident spouses, FAS citizens and their nonresident spouses and family members, nonresidents who are married to U.S. citizens, widows and widowers of U.S. citizens, U.S. citizen children of nonresidents, foreign-born children of U.S. citizens and nonresidents, and parents of disabled and special needs U.S. citizen children.
The FAS includes Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae).
Doromal said she and her daughter Nani will personally deliver written letters and the written petition that is circulating in the CNMI to Congress and offices in Washington, D.C. at the end of January after Congress is back in session.
“I will submit the online petition when we reach or surpass our goal,” she added.
Doromal said she has notified friends at non-profit organizations that support human rights, social justice, and immigration reform to appeal for nationwide support.
“Some of my friends are writing stories to post on major progressive Web sites, and we are creating a Facebook page. I am also reaching out to the media to appeal for support,” she added.
Pathway to US citizenship
Doromal said some people mistakenly assume that it is only the nonresidents who support status for the residents of the CNMI.
“This is not true. Millions of Americans believe that all guest worker programs should provide a pathway to citizenship. I put the petition online so that people from across the United States can sign it. The U.S. officials that the petition seeks to influence will see that the support comes not just from the people in the CNMI, but from coast to coast across our nation. The petition has only been up for about five hours and we have people signing from not just the CNMI, but from Florida, Virginia, Georgia, New York, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, California, Oregon, and Connecticut,” she said.
The online petition is posted on Doromal's blog, “Unheard No More,” at http://unheardnomore.blogspot.com.
“We support the nonresidents of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in their quest for green cards and a pathway to citizenship as expressed in this petition. We appeal to you to take immediate action to secure their standing and to keep their families together,” the petition's introductory paragraph reads.
The federalization law establishes a goal of phasing out the CNMI guest worker program and requires a report from the Department of the Interior as to the number of guest workers in the CNMI, and recommendations for status, if any.
“There is no assurance that there will be recommendations for status, nor any assurance that status would be granted through subsequent legislation even if such recommendations were made. We appeal to you today to support the introduction of legislation that would grant green cards and a pathway to citizenship to long-term foreign workers and nonresidents,” the petitioners say.
Majority of foreign workers-now only at a little over 10,000-have been in the CNMI for more
“Many of us have children who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. We are valuable workers and law-abiding, contributing members of our island home. We call upon you to provide protection and equal rights to those of us who have dedicated our lives to building and developing this great U.S. commonwealth,” the petition reads.
In 2000, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would have provided these segments of the CNMI population with immigration status.
However, a provision for U.S. status did not make it into the final version of the bill that would become part of Public Law 110-229 or the CNRA.
“While we understand that permanent status and a pathway to citizenship for us in the CNMI may be included in future national comprehensive immigration reform legislation, we plead with you not to wait,” it adds.
The petition cited a precedent for such a relief. In the 1980s, the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Congress realized that special legislation was needed to prevent the separation of guest workers from their U.S. citizen families. Congress passed a law allowing guest workers in the Virgin Islands to adjust to permanent residency status.
“Congress should pass a similar law tailored to the unique needs of the CNMI,” the petitioners say.
Doromal said foreigners invited to U.S. shores to work and build the economy “should be regarded as future citizens rather than replaceable commodities.”
“Those who support a just and democratic guest worker program in the CNMI and in the mainland, support opportunities where foreign workers and immigrants have control over their destiny and the destiny of their families. They embrace the words of President Barack Obama: 'In America, no dream is beyond your grasp if you reach for it, and fight for it, and work for it,'” she added.
Ahead of federal decision on immigration status of guest workers
Monday, November 16, 2009
By Haidee V. Eugenio
A petition seeking “green cards” or lawful permanent resident status for foreign workers and others with relatives who are U.S. or Freely Associated States citizens has started circulating ahead of the May 10, 2010, deadline for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to recommend to Congress whether a grant of permanent immigration status to nonresidents in the CNMI is necessary.
The Coalition of United Workers-NMI started circulating the petition on Nov. 9 but temporarily halted it to prioritize the issue of securing umbrella permits for “overstayers,” its president, Rene Reyes, said yesterday.
Reyes said they will resume the signature drive later this week.
Florida-based human rights activist and former Rota teacher Wendy Doromal started the online petition on Saturday, and expects to gather at least 5,000 signatures by January 2010.
“This is our last major push before the May 10, 2010, recommendation from the secretary of Interior to Congress regarding granting United States citizenship or some other permanent legal status to the nonresidents,” Doromal told Saipan Tribune when asked for comment.
The petition is addressed to President Obama, members of the U.S. Congress, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
As of 4pm Sunday, the online petition has gathered 69 signatures.
Ronnie Doca, board chairman of the United Workers Movement-NMI, said yesterday they will begin the signature drive on Tuesday, 6pm, at the Fiesta Pilipino by Juvy restaurant across the road from Saipan Grand Hotel in Susupe.
Doromal and the two organizations of foreign workers in the CNMI are using the same petition form.
CNRA requirement
The federal government will take over CNMI immigration on Nov. 28 pursuant to Public Law 110-229 or the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, signed by President George W. Bush on May 8, 2008.
The CNRA requires the Interior secretary, in consultation with the Homeland Security secretary and the governor of the CNMI, to recommend to the U.S. Congress, as the secretary deems appropriate, a permanent immigration status to guest workers legally residing in the CNMI, by May 10, 2010.
Also included in the Interior's report are the numbers of aliens residing in the CNMI, a description of their legal status under federal law, the number of years each alien has been residing in the CNMI, and the current and future requirements of the local economy for an alien workforce.
Improved status
Over the last three years, Doromal has hand-delivered petitions and letters to the U.S. Congress and offices in Washington, D.C., seeking improved status for many in the CNMI.
The quest for improved immigration status, as the petition reads, is for foreign contract workers, CNMI permanent residents and their nonresident spouses, FAS citizens and their nonresident spouses and family members, nonresidents who are married to U.S. citizens, widows and widowers of U.S. citizens, U.S. citizen children of nonresidents, foreign-born children of U.S. citizens and nonresidents, and parents of disabled and special needs U.S. citizen children.
The FAS includes Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae).
Doromal said she and her daughter Nani will personally deliver written letters and the written petition that is circulating in the CNMI to Congress and offices in Washington, D.C. at the end of January after Congress is back in session.
“I will submit the online petition when we reach or surpass our goal,” she added.
Doromal said she has notified friends at non-profit organizations that support human rights, social justice, and immigration reform to appeal for nationwide support.
“Some of my friends are writing stories to post on major progressive Web sites, and we are creating a Facebook page. I am also reaching out to the media to appeal for support,” she added.
Pathway to US citizenship
Doromal said some people mistakenly assume that it is only the nonresidents who support status for the residents of the CNMI.
“This is not true. Millions of Americans believe that all guest worker programs should provide a pathway to citizenship. I put the petition online so that people from across the United States can sign it. The U.S. officials that the petition seeks to influence will see that the support comes not just from the people in the CNMI, but from coast to coast across our nation. The petition has only been up for about five hours and we have people signing from not just the CNMI, but from Florida, Virginia, Georgia, New York, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, California, Oregon, and Connecticut,” she said.
The online petition is posted on Doromal's blog, “Unheard No More,” at http://unheardnomore.blogspot.com.
“We support the nonresidents of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in their quest for green cards and a pathway to citizenship as expressed in this petition. We appeal to you to take immediate action to secure their standing and to keep their families together,” the petition's introductory paragraph reads.
The federalization law establishes a goal of phasing out the CNMI guest worker program and requires a report from the Department of the Interior as to the number of guest workers in the CNMI, and recommendations for status, if any.
“There is no assurance that there will be recommendations for status, nor any assurance that status would be granted through subsequent legislation even if such recommendations were made. We appeal to you today to support the introduction of legislation that would grant green cards and a pathway to citizenship to long-term foreign workers and nonresidents,” the petitioners say.
Majority of foreign workers-now only at a little over 10,000-have been in the CNMI for more
“Many of us have children who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. We are valuable workers and law-abiding, contributing members of our island home. We call upon you to provide protection and equal rights to those of us who have dedicated our lives to building and developing this great U.S. commonwealth,” the petition reads.
In 2000, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would have provided these segments of the CNMI population with immigration status.
However, a provision for U.S. status did not make it into the final version of the bill that would become part of Public Law 110-229 or the CNRA.
“While we understand that permanent status and a pathway to citizenship for us in the CNMI may be included in future national comprehensive immigration reform legislation, we plead with you not to wait,” it adds.
The petition cited a precedent for such a relief. In the 1980s, the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Congress realized that special legislation was needed to prevent the separation of guest workers from their U.S. citizen families. Congress passed a law allowing guest workers in the Virgin Islands to adjust to permanent residency status.
“Congress should pass a similar law tailored to the unique needs of the CNMI,” the petitioners say.
Doromal said foreigners invited to U.S. shores to work and build the economy “should be regarded as future citizens rather than replaceable commodities.”
“Those who support a just and democratic guest worker program in the CNMI and in the mainland, support opportunities where foreign workers and immigrants have control over their destiny and the destiny of their families. They embrace the words of President Barack Obama: 'In America, no dream is beyond your grasp if you reach for it, and fight for it, and work for it,'” she added.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Hundreds attend federalization forum
Hundreds attend federalization forum
Re-entry to NMI tops concerns of alien workers
Monday, November 02, 2009
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Hundreds of alien workers of different nationalities showed up at a public forum on the Department of Homeland Security's interim final rule on the CNMI transitional worker program, held Friday night at the American Memorial Park.
Janna Evans, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services community outreach regional lead, kicked off the forum with a PowerPoint presentation on the interim final rule. David G. Gulik, district director of the USCIS for Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI, answered questions from the audience.
After the forum, Evans and Gulik responded to individual queries, as many workers milled around them on the stage, asking more questions and sharing their personal experiences and problems in obtaining U.S. visas, among other issues.
Majority of concerns raised is the difficulty of getting visas from U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries and questions about re-entering the CNMI using a B1 or B2 visa (tourist visa). Evans noted that the issue was asked six times in six different ways.
“If you have a CNMI umbrella permit and B1/B2 visa and you leave and you go somewhere-anywhere, any country in the world-and you want to come back to the CNMI to resume your life and your work, you must have a valid visa,” Evans said.
A B1 or B2 visa, she said, does not allow the holder to work.
Evans said if the alien worker knows that he or she is going to leave the CNMI, he or she needs to work with the employer to get a CW1 status (CNMI-only transitional worker).
“If you know you're not going to leave for two years, no problem,” Evans said, adding that the CNMI-issued two-year “umbrella permits” will cover them.
She stressed that it is very important for alien workers who have a CW1 visa and want to leave the CNMI to get a CW1 visa from the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in their respective countries so that they can return and work in the CNMI.
“The B1/B2 [visa] will not put you in lawful status to work,” Evans said.
Gulik explained to workers that visas are issued only outside the U.S.
“A visa is not a status. A visa is a permit to allow you to come to the U.S.,” Gulik said.
Even if a CWI status is already given to a worker in the CNMI, it is not a guarantee that the U.S. embassy in the worker's country will issue a CW1 visa in order for him or her to come back to work, he added.
“We hope that the State Department will give a lot of faith to the fact that we gave you a CW1,” Gulik said.
If a worker uses a B1/B2 visa to come back to the CNMI to resume his or her work, the worker will be violating the law because he or she is entering as a tourist, he said.
“When you come back to the CNMI, you should show what are you are going to do here. We don't want you to be in trouble,” he said.
Rabby Syed, president of the United Workers Movement Inc., said the forum was very informative and educational as people had lots of questions.
Just like in other forums about the interim final rule, the main concern was about the workers going to their country of origin and the need to have a U.S. visa in coming back, Syed said.
“And that is very hard [to get],” Syed said.
He said DHS should come up with some sort of remedy.
“Maybe they can issue a visa from here based on that CW1 so that the workers can easily go to their country for a short vacation and come back,” he said.
Syed said their group would be holding a meeting to discuss the interim final rule.
Fil Taga president Mike Cruz said that, although the forum was informative, there are still a lot of areas that need further discussion, particularly on the question of Immediate Relative status and the B1/B2 visa.
Re-entry to NMI tops concerns of alien workers
Monday, November 02, 2009
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Hundreds of alien workers of different nationalities showed up at a public forum on the Department of Homeland Security's interim final rule on the CNMI transitional worker program, held Friday night at the American Memorial Park.
Janna Evans, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services community outreach regional lead, kicked off the forum with a PowerPoint presentation on the interim final rule. David G. Gulik, district director of the USCIS for Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI, answered questions from the audience.
After the forum, Evans and Gulik responded to individual queries, as many workers milled around them on the stage, asking more questions and sharing their personal experiences and problems in obtaining U.S. visas, among other issues.
Majority of concerns raised is the difficulty of getting visas from U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries and questions about re-entering the CNMI using a B1 or B2 visa (tourist visa). Evans noted that the issue was asked six times in six different ways.
“If you have a CNMI umbrella permit and B1/B2 visa and you leave and you go somewhere-anywhere, any country in the world-and you want to come back to the CNMI to resume your life and your work, you must have a valid visa,” Evans said.
A B1 or B2 visa, she said, does not allow the holder to work.
Evans said if the alien worker knows that he or she is going to leave the CNMI, he or she needs to work with the employer to get a CW1 status (CNMI-only transitional worker).
“If you know you're not going to leave for two years, no problem,” Evans said, adding that the CNMI-issued two-year “umbrella permits” will cover them.
She stressed that it is very important for alien workers who have a CW1 visa and want to leave the CNMI to get a CW1 visa from the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in their respective countries so that they can return and work in the CNMI.
“The B1/B2 [visa] will not put you in lawful status to work,” Evans said.
Gulik explained to workers that visas are issued only outside the U.S.
“A visa is not a status. A visa is a permit to allow you to come to the U.S.,” Gulik said.
Even if a CWI status is already given to a worker in the CNMI, it is not a guarantee that the U.S. embassy in the worker's country will issue a CW1 visa in order for him or her to come back to work, he added.
“We hope that the State Department will give a lot of faith to the fact that we gave you a CW1,” Gulik said.
If a worker uses a B1/B2 visa to come back to the CNMI to resume his or her work, the worker will be violating the law because he or she is entering as a tourist, he said.
“When you come back to the CNMI, you should show what are you are going to do here. We don't want you to be in trouble,” he said.
Rabby Syed, president of the United Workers Movement Inc., said the forum was very informative and educational as people had lots of questions.
Just like in other forums about the interim final rule, the main concern was about the workers going to their country of origin and the need to have a U.S. visa in coming back, Syed said.
“And that is very hard [to get],” Syed said.
He said DHS should come up with some sort of remedy.
“Maybe they can issue a visa from here based on that CW1 so that the workers can easily go to their country for a short vacation and come back,” he said.
Syed said their group would be holding a meeting to discuss the interim final rule.
Fil Taga president Mike Cruz said that, although the forum was informative, there are still a lot of areas that need further discussion, particularly on the question of Immediate Relative status and the B1/B2 visa.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Websites Promote U.S. Citizenship For Korean Babies Via Guam
(Pacific Daily News)
A Taiwanese-born doctor, now naturalised U.S. citizen in Guam says he has been approached by tour agents about bringing in pregnant South Korean's to have babies born on Guam, reports the Pacific Daily News.
The agents are using two web sites -- www.americanbaby.co.kr and www.guambaby.com -- to lure the Korean mothers.
Dr. Thomas Shieh, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said he was first contacted four years ago and then again this summer but turned them down.
The site www.americanbaby.co.kr outlines a step-by-step process for expectant moms: (1) Get prenatal care in South Korea; (2) Give birth at Guam Memorial Hospital;(3) Get a passport and Social Security number in Guam within a week after birth; and (4) Go back to Korea in two to three weeks.
A Taiwanese-born doctor, now naturalised U.S. citizen in Guam says he has been approached by tour agents about bringing in pregnant South Korean's to have babies born on Guam, reports the Pacific Daily News.
The agents are using two web sites -- www.americanbaby.co.kr and www.guambaby.com -- to lure the Korean mothers.
Dr. Thomas Shieh, an obstetrician and gynecologist, said he was first contacted four years ago and then again this summer but turned them down.
The site www.americanbaby.co.kr outlines a step-by-step process for expectant moms: (1) Get prenatal care in South Korea; (2) Give birth at Guam Memorial Hospital;(3) Get a passport and Social Security number in Guam within a week after birth; and (4) Go back to Korea in two to three weeks.
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