The CNMI governor Ralph Torres is being urged to support a bill that would provide a pathway towards US permanent residency for long-term non-resident workers.
CNMI governor Ralph Torres being sworn in Photo: RNZI Mark Rabago
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan asked Mr Torres to support his bill, House Resolution 6578, which would give permanent CNMI status to long-term workers who have held CNMI-Only Transitional Worker program visas since 2015, with the option to become US permanent residents after five years.
The bill also provides permanent status to E-2C investors who were originally admitted to the Northern Marianas under Commonwealth immigration law.
Mr Sablan said the CNMI had a pool of some 2350 workers who had been contributing to its economy and the community since 2015.
They, by and large, want to remain in the Marianas and continue adding value to the local economy, he said.
The bill would make that possible and help stabilise the workforce, making the CNMI less dependent on foreign labour, the delegate said.