Feds install technologically advanced equipment at Saipan airport
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Reporter
THE U.S. Department of Homeland Security replaced the old computer system at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport with equipment that gathers a person’s biographical and biometric data through fingerprint and facial scanners which officials described as more technologically advanced than Guam's.
Edward Low, chief officer for public liaison of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Guam’s equipment will soon be updated.
CBP, an agency under DHS, brought in 42 personnel — four managers and 37 officers — to the CNMI to take over from local immigration personnel the administration of the islands’ immigration system on Nov. 28, when the federalization law took effect.
The CBP personnel are mostly from Detroit, Miami, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and other parts of the U.S. and they will be assigned to the CNMI for four months.
The collected biographic and biometric data will be matched with the database of law enforcement agencies which has a depository of the names and photographs of suspected terrorists and criminals.
On Nov. 28, the CBP officers processed more than 300 passengers, mostly Japanese and Korean tourists, who arrived one after another past 1 a.m. on Delta and Asiana aircraft.
A worker from the Philippines aboard Delta Airlines who attempted to enter Saipan using her CNMI-issued entry permit was held, and it was not immediately known if she was eventually allowed to enter the island.
Alexander Y. Hartman, immigration policy advisor of the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Policy Development, said CBP officers have a protocol to follow in dealing with such a case.
The person will first undergo a primary interview and then a secondary interview before a decision is made.
Under the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act, all people wishing to enter the CNMI should have any of the following — a U.S. passport, a U.S. visa, a U.S. permanent visa or green card, a parole visa or his or her country is included in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Saipan Republican Reps. Diego T. Benavente, Ramon A. Tebuteb, Ralph DLG. Torres and other government officials, including CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan and Senate President Pete P. Reyes observed the handover process.
Yoichi Matsumura, president of Pacific Development Inc., a Japanese-owned tourist company, said the federal screening process is “good” and does not inconvenience passengers.
“I think it’s a smooth transition. There’s not much change. It’s the same procedure as in Guam,” he said
Marie Thérèse Sebrechts, DHS-USCIS regional media manager, said although U.S. immigration law now applies to the CNMI, it will still undergo a transition period until Dec. 31, 2014, to allow for an orderly transition and give individuals time to identify an appropriate visa classification under the INA.
Showing posts with label US Customs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Customs. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
US gears up for CNMI takeover
US gears up for CNMI takeover
Friday, 27 November 2009 03:31 by Gemma Q. Casas | Variety News Staff
(SAIPAN)--An official of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said his office is ready to administer and operate the immigration system of the Northern Marianas, which will be placed under federal control starting tomorrow.
Edward Low, chief CBP officer, said some of the permanently assigned personnel for the Saipan international airport have arrived on island and more will come in the next few days.
Part of the contingent are armed CBP officers.
“CBP officers are armed. That is the function of their duty. That weapon is part of who they are,” said Low who arrived on Saipan on Friday. He is scheduled to leave on Dec. 4.
“We’re scheduled to take over immigration on Nov. 28. With any luck it would be relatively seamless,” he said in an interview on Monday.
According to its Web site, CBP is one of the most complex components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the country.
It is also responsible for securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws.
Local customs, however, will remain under the jurisdiction of the local government.
Low said CBP will enforce the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act by screening passengers entering all points of entries in the CNMI.
“As it stands now, when CBP takes over immigration on the 28th, anybody who wants to enter the CNMI must have a U.S. passport, a U.S. permanent card or green card, a U.S. visa or they have to be a member of the visa-waiver country or Chinese or Russian nationals who are seeking to visit the CNMI. But those two countries will be dealt with a little bit differently. But you know I can’t speak about anything else,” he said.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, another agency of DHS, deals with people who have already entered the nation and its territories. It is expected to bring in a contingent as part of the federalization law’s implementation.
The USCIS is in-charge of collecting biometrics and processing the Commonwealth Worker or CW-1 status that will be offered to foreign workers on the islands who are otherwise ineligible for other U.S. employment-based programs.
Friday, 27 November 2009 03:31 by Gemma Q. Casas | Variety News Staff
(SAIPAN)--An official of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said his office is ready to administer and operate the immigration system of the Northern Marianas, which will be placed under federal control starting tomorrow.
Edward Low, chief CBP officer, said some of the permanently assigned personnel for the Saipan international airport have arrived on island and more will come in the next few days.
Part of the contingent are armed CBP officers.
“CBP officers are armed. That is the function of their duty. That weapon is part of who they are,” said Low who arrived on Saipan on Friday. He is scheduled to leave on Dec. 4.
“We’re scheduled to take over immigration on Nov. 28. With any luck it would be relatively seamless,” he said in an interview on Monday.
According to its Web site, CBP is one of the most complex components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the country.
It is also responsible for securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws.
Local customs, however, will remain under the jurisdiction of the local government.
Low said CBP will enforce the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act by screening passengers entering all points of entries in the CNMI.
“As it stands now, when CBP takes over immigration on the 28th, anybody who wants to enter the CNMI must have a U.S. passport, a U.S. permanent card or green card, a U.S. visa or they have to be a member of the visa-waiver country or Chinese or Russian nationals who are seeking to visit the CNMI. But those two countries will be dealt with a little bit differently. But you know I can’t speak about anything else,” he said.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, another agency of DHS, deals with people who have already entered the nation and its territories. It is expected to bring in a contingent as part of the federalization law’s implementation.
The USCIS is in-charge of collecting biometrics and processing the Commonwealth Worker or CW-1 status that will be offered to foreign workers on the islands who are otherwise ineligible for other U.S. employment-based programs.
Friday, October 23, 2009
US Customs poised to control NMI borders
US Customs poised to control NMI borders
Full access to airport facilities sought for up to 53 officers
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Friday, October 23, 2009
Key officials of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection led by Assistant Commissioner for Field Operations Thomas S. Winkowski personally told Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, lawmakers, and other local officials yesterday that CBP is “fully ready” to secure CNMI borders by Nov. 28 as required by the federalization law.
“From an operational standpoint, we're ready,” Winkowski told House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), Senate President Pete P. Reyes (R-Saipan) and other members of the 16th Legislature on Capital Hill yesterday morning.
In their “operational readiness visit,” the federal team sought “full access” to the immigration facilities at the Saipan and Rota airports ahead of the Nov. 28 federalization to be able to install equipment and prepare for the takeover of border control.
Fitial gave CBP access to the facility, which the officials visited yesterday afternoon, said Winkowski.
Press secretary Charles Reyes confirmed that Fitial assured the federal officials that they would get the necessary access to the airports over the next several weeks to do their job.
“The federal officials agreed that they would make every effort not to interfere with the Commonwealth's enforcement of its immigration laws through Nov. 27,” Reyes said in a statement.
Winkowski said the team has had “productive meetings” with local officials.
“This is an operational readiness visit. I want to be sure that come Nov. 28, we're going to be up and running and you can't do that by sitting in Washington, D.C. You have to come out here and look at the facility, have meetings that we have today with the Legislature, with the governor, and work through any type of issues,” he told reporters.
Up to 53 CBP personnel
Winkowski said between 45 and 53 CBP personnel will be temporarily assigned to the CNMI, primarily at the Saipan International Airport, to screen some 400,000 passengers a year. Others will also be detailed at the Rota airport.
He said qualified CBP personnel from Guam and other U.S. states will be temporarily stationed until permanent hires are in place.
“I'm estimating it will take a year to eliminate temporary personnel,” Winkowski told lawmakers.
Jerry Aevermann, the current assistant port director for CBP Guam, has been named CBP interim port director for the CNMI.
Winkowski said a working group, to be led by Aevermann, is being formed to ensure a smooth transition to federal immigration control.
Besides Winkowski and Aevermann, seven other CBP officials from Washington, D.C. and Guam are visiting the CNMI.
They include CBP Assistant Commissioner for Information Technology Charles Armstrong; David Morrell, executive director of the Office of Field Operations' Mission Support; Cheryl Peters, program manager of the Office of Field Operations; Richard Vigna, director of Field Operations in San Francisco; Bruce Murley, area port director in Honolulu, Hawaii; Rocky Miner, port director in Guam; and Fraim Leon Guerrero of CBP Guam.
The team visited Guam before coming to Saipan Wednesday night. The officials leave Saipan today.
Rep. Rosemond Santos (R-Saipan) and other lawmakers wanted assurance from the federal officials that the current CNMI immigration personnel will be absorbed by CBP.
Winkowski said consideration is being given, but said qualification requirements will still need to be followed. He added that CBP will issue other job announcements for needed positions.
Immigration inspection
In answering questions from Rep. Ray N. Yumul (R-Saipan), the visiting federal officials said by Nov. 28, those who have already undergone immigration screening on Guam will not be screened again when they enter Saipan and vice versa.
However, those boarding on Saipan or Guam to other destinations will still undergo screening when they fly to Hawaii and other U.S. states and territories.
The CBP officials also said that travels between Saipan, Tinian and Rota will not need immigration screening.
Rep. Justo Quitugua (D-Saipan) and Rep. Diego Benavente (R-Saipan) asked whether nonresident workers can freely exit and enter the CNMI throughout the transition period starting on Nov. 28 without having to secure a U.S. visa.
CBP officials said this is still being worked on by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
CBP and the USCIS are among the component units of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead agency implementing Public Law 110-229 (the Consolidated Natural Resources Act) in the CNMI. DHS is required to staff and equip six ports of entry in the CNMI by Nov. 28.
Winkowski said it's only a happenstance that they're in the CNMI when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced she will be exercising her parole authority to allow Chinese and Russian tourists to enter the CNMI without a U.S. visa even when federalization begins Nov. 28. (See main story)
Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan) asked CBP to conduct public outreach on the agency's activities and policies, to which Winkowski said this is also being worked on.
Winkwoski, when asked about human trafficking and drug smuggling concerns, said there will be investigators that work for DHS to address these issues.
The CBP officials met not only with Fitial yesterday, but also with officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, the CNMI Division of Customs, the CNMI Division of Immigration, and the Department of Labor.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), in a statement, said he has “been assured that all the necessary equipment to do the pre-screening and monitor visitor exits will be in place by Nov. 28.”
“I have been very concerned about the department's operational readiness, but I'm beginning to see some forward motion. I also think that we have to be sure that this capacity is also present for the Rota and Tinian tourist markets. This isn't just about Saipan,” said Sablan.
Full access to airport facilities sought for up to 53 officers
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Friday, October 23, 2009
Key officials of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection led by Assistant Commissioner for Field Operations Thomas S. Winkowski personally told Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, lawmakers, and other local officials yesterday that CBP is “fully ready” to secure CNMI borders by Nov. 28 as required by the federalization law.
“From an operational standpoint, we're ready,” Winkowski told House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), Senate President Pete P. Reyes (R-Saipan) and other members of the 16th Legislature on Capital Hill yesterday morning.
In their “operational readiness visit,” the federal team sought “full access” to the immigration facilities at the Saipan and Rota airports ahead of the Nov. 28 federalization to be able to install equipment and prepare for the takeover of border control.
Fitial gave CBP access to the facility, which the officials visited yesterday afternoon, said Winkowski.
Press secretary Charles Reyes confirmed that Fitial assured the federal officials that they would get the necessary access to the airports over the next several weeks to do their job.
“The federal officials agreed that they would make every effort not to interfere with the Commonwealth's enforcement of its immigration laws through Nov. 27,” Reyes said in a statement.
Winkowski said the team has had “productive meetings” with local officials.
“This is an operational readiness visit. I want to be sure that come Nov. 28, we're going to be up and running and you can't do that by sitting in Washington, D.C. You have to come out here and look at the facility, have meetings that we have today with the Legislature, with the governor, and work through any type of issues,” he told reporters.
Up to 53 CBP personnel
Winkowski said between 45 and 53 CBP personnel will be temporarily assigned to the CNMI, primarily at the Saipan International Airport, to screen some 400,000 passengers a year. Others will also be detailed at the Rota airport.
He said qualified CBP personnel from Guam and other U.S. states will be temporarily stationed until permanent hires are in place.
“I'm estimating it will take a year to eliminate temporary personnel,” Winkowski told lawmakers.
Jerry Aevermann, the current assistant port director for CBP Guam, has been named CBP interim port director for the CNMI.
Winkowski said a working group, to be led by Aevermann, is being formed to ensure a smooth transition to federal immigration control.
Besides Winkowski and Aevermann, seven other CBP officials from Washington, D.C. and Guam are visiting the CNMI.
They include CBP Assistant Commissioner for Information Technology Charles Armstrong; David Morrell, executive director of the Office of Field Operations' Mission Support; Cheryl Peters, program manager of the Office of Field Operations; Richard Vigna, director of Field Operations in San Francisco; Bruce Murley, area port director in Honolulu, Hawaii; Rocky Miner, port director in Guam; and Fraim Leon Guerrero of CBP Guam.
The team visited Guam before coming to Saipan Wednesday night. The officials leave Saipan today.
Rep. Rosemond Santos (R-Saipan) and other lawmakers wanted assurance from the federal officials that the current CNMI immigration personnel will be absorbed by CBP.
Winkowski said consideration is being given, but said qualification requirements will still need to be followed. He added that CBP will issue other job announcements for needed positions.
Immigration inspection
In answering questions from Rep. Ray N. Yumul (R-Saipan), the visiting federal officials said by Nov. 28, those who have already undergone immigration screening on Guam will not be screened again when they enter Saipan and vice versa.
However, those boarding on Saipan or Guam to other destinations will still undergo screening when they fly to Hawaii and other U.S. states and territories.
The CBP officials also said that travels between Saipan, Tinian and Rota will not need immigration screening.
Rep. Justo Quitugua (D-Saipan) and Rep. Diego Benavente (R-Saipan) asked whether nonresident workers can freely exit and enter the CNMI throughout the transition period starting on Nov. 28 without having to secure a U.S. visa.
CBP officials said this is still being worked on by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
CBP and the USCIS are among the component units of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is the lead agency implementing Public Law 110-229 (the Consolidated Natural Resources Act) in the CNMI. DHS is required to staff and equip six ports of entry in the CNMI by Nov. 28.
Winkowski said it's only a happenstance that they're in the CNMI when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced she will be exercising her parole authority to allow Chinese and Russian tourists to enter the CNMI without a U.S. visa even when federalization begins Nov. 28. (See main story)
Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan) asked CBP to conduct public outreach on the agency's activities and policies, to which Winkowski said this is also being worked on.
Winkwoski, when asked about human trafficking and drug smuggling concerns, said there will be investigators that work for DHS to address these issues.
The CBP officials met not only with Fitial yesterday, but also with officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, the CNMI Division of Customs, the CNMI Division of Immigration, and the Department of Labor.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP), in a statement, said he has “been assured that all the necessary equipment to do the pre-screening and monitor visitor exits will be in place by Nov. 28.”
“I have been very concerned about the department's operational readiness, but I'm beginning to see some forward motion. I also think that we have to be sure that this capacity is also present for the Rota and Tinian tourist markets. This isn't just about Saipan,” said Sablan.
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