<home> -- <press releases> -- <December 11, 2007> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— December 11, 2007– The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3079, the “Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act.” The bill, introduced on July 18, 2007, would apply federal immigration laws to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and provide for a Delegate to Congress to represent the CNMI beginning with the federal general election next year. The Delegate from the CNMI would be afforded the same rights and privileges provided to other Territorial Delegates now serving in the House of Representatives. “H.R. 3079 represents an important opportunity for this Congress to advance the political relationship between the United States and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to strengthen homeland security in the Western Pacific Region, and to bring about needed economic and labor reforms for the benefit of both the people of Guam and the CNMI,” Congresswoman Bordallo said on the floor of the House of Representatives today during debate on the bill. “I underscore my emphatic and strong support for Title II of the bill, which would provide for representation for the people of the CNMI in this House. A Delegate from the CNMI would help the Congress respond to the needs and concerns of the people of the CNMI…and would aid us in our work to legislate on matters affecting the CNMI and the insular areas.” H.R. 3079 provides for a single, unified, and regional visa-waiver program for Guam and the CNMI based on the existing Guam-only visa waiver program, which was authorized by Congress in 1986. This new visa waiver program would authorize tourists entering either Guam or the CNMI under the program to stay in either location, or any combination of both locations for a period not to exceed 45 days—and extension of the current Guam-only visa waiver program, which provides only for a 15 day period of stay. Under the new proposed program, countries approved in the current Guam-only visa waiver program would be automatically extended to the CNMI, and any country added to the program in the future with the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security would be for both Guam and the CNMI. The bill would also provide Guam and the CNMI relief from the national numerical limitations or caps in current law affecting the total number of H-2 temporary worker visas that could be issued for work in either location. This will help our communities meet the construction demands associated with economic growth and the planned military buildup. H.R. 3079 was introduced by Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the United States Virgin Islands, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, and Congressman Nick J. Rahall II, the Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources. Congresswoman Bordallo is a cosponsor of H.R. 3079. Today she spoke on the House floor in support of the bill and to address its provisions important to Guam. Congresswoman Christensen; Congressman George Miller of California, the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor; Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega of American Samoa, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment; Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary; and Congressman Rob Bishop of Utah, a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, also addressed the House in support of the legislation. H.R. 3079 as passed and agreed to by the House of Representatives today will be formally transmitted to the Senate later this week and is expected to be referred to its Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A Senate companion bill was introduced earlier this year by Senator Daniel K. Akaka of Hawaii. That bill is S. 1634 and was the subject of a hearing held by the Senate’s Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 19, 2007. ### Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov |
