THE draft report regarding the Senates recommendation for guest workers should not have been leaked because its still not final, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes said on Friday.
The Saipan Tribune reported that the draft report recommends granting guest workers an immigration status similar to what was conferred by the U.S. to citizens of the Freely Associated States. Long-term guest workers, according to the draft report, may apply for a œgreen card, or permanent U.S. residency, five years after being granted FAS-like status.
Reyes, R-Saipan, said the Senate recommendation as reported in the Tribune does not represent the final report of the senators.
He said there are still differences in the interpretation of the draft reports language and that is why they could not release it to the public yet.
œIts very disturbing that the draft report leaked out. It was released prematurely and does not exactly represent what the Senate would finally recommend. Its not final yet, he added.
According to Reyes, they are inclined to recommend the granting of FAS-like status to qualified guest workers " but after five years.
This means that guest workers would have to wait for five years to receive FAS-like status.
Citizens of FAS " the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands " can reside, work and study anywhere in the U.S. and its territories but are subject to deportation if they commit crimes.
There are concerns that guest workers might leave the commonwealth as soon as they get FAS status, resulting in the lack of manpower. This is why it was agreed that guest workers should remain in the CNMI for five years before they could receive FAS status, Reyes said.
The Senate will not recommend permanent residency for guest workers, he added.
The Senate report will be submitted to the U.S. Congress which still has to pass a law to implement its recommendation. Last year, the U.S. Interior Department submitted its own improved status recommendations to the U.S. Congress, which did not act on it.
Guest worker advocates Rabby Syed and Ronnie Doca went to the Senate on Friday to get a copy of the draft report but they were told that no such report was available because nothing was final.
In an interview, Syed said guest workers are seeking a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
He said they know that only the U.S. Congress can grant improved status and that is why they are asking the CNMI government to establish œexcellent communications with U.S. lawmakers.
He said they are also asking the U.S. Congress to provide œprotection to guest workers so they will not be removed from the CNMI once their umbrella permits expire this November.
œRight now, immigration matter is federal, so the CNMI government needs to take the initiative that can give us some kind of status that will allow us to stay and work legally until the U.S. Congress takes a final action for nonresidents, he added.
Syed thanked CNMI senators for addressing the issue, and the local community for allowing nonresidents to work and live here.
Article source: http://www.mvariety.com/2011020434017/local-news/nothing-final-about-senate-recommendation-for-guest-workers.php
No Tag
Halo Sobat, Nama Saya Sofyan Syah, Memulai Dunia Blogging Sejak Nov 2011, Meskipun Masih Baru terjun di Dunia Blogging, Saya tidak patah semangat Untuk menjadi Yang terbaik dari yang Terbaik, karena saya yakin, Tidak ada hal yang tidak Mungkin.Buat saya Blogging Is My Life.Senang rasanya jika sobat sudah Berkunjung di blog ini.
Komentar :
Post a Comment