Bill could benefit almost 3000 foreign workers in CNMI

A bill pending in the US Congress could grant permanent residency to nearly 3000 foreign workers in the Northern Marianas.

If passed 2,875 of the territory's 8,995 transitional workers with CW-1 visas would be able to seek residency status.

The Northern Marianas delegate to the US Congress Gregorio Kilili Sablan's resolution 560 aims to help workers who were eligible for the territory's categorical parole program which was discontinued last December.

Those eligible include spouses of citizens from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, immediate relatives of US citizens beginning the CW-1 program, a group of stateless individuals, and in-home caregivers.