<home> -- <press releases News from Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo Congresswoman Bordallo Requests Meeting on Implementation of DHS Federalization and Use of Parole Authority in CNMI FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 23, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, today, sent a letter to the Honorable Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), requesting a briefing on the parole authority to be exercised on a case-by-case basis in the CNMI as interim-final rule regarding implementation of P.L. 110-229 which includes the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. Congresswoman Bordallo’s briefing request comes a day after DHS announced that Secretary Napolitano would utilize parole authority which is granted to her via statute to admit citizens of Russia and China into the CNMI after November 28, 2009. “In my letter to Secretary Napolitano, I asked that she continue to adhere to the Congressional intent of Public Law 110-229 and that Russia and China ultimately be extended to the full Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program once the final rule is published,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “During our meeting in September, Secretary Napolitano recognized the economic impact of the implementation of P.L. 110-229. Her decision to exercise parole authority to residents of China and Russia visiting the CNMI will allow their visitor industry to remain stable, while the addition of Hong Kong to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program allows our visitor industry to expand into a new market. I requested a detailed briefing to clarify the new immigration procedures that will commence on November 28, 2009, and I look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano as the final rule on P.L. 110-229 is developed.” # # # matthew.mateo@mail.house.gov or derek.mandell@mail.house.gov |
