Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program Not Likely To Delay
Congresswoman Bordallo announced yesterday that the legislative hearing on the bill H.R. 3770 that was scheduled to take place on October 22, 2009 was postponed “until a later date”. The bill, originally sponsored by Bordallo, called for a one-year delay of full application of U.S. immigration laws in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The postponement came in light of the ruling by DHS that Russian and Chinese tourists will be allowed visa-free into the CNMI after November 28, 2009. The visitors will enter under the “parole” authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security and will be able to stay in the Northern Marianas up to 45 days. Thus, the new Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that is scheduled to go in effect on November 28, 2009 is not likely to be delayed.
The DHS ruling holds that the Secretary of Homeland Security “will exercise authority to parole into the CNMI, in the Secretary’s discretion on a case-by-case basis, visitors for business or pleasure who are nationals of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.” Parole will be permitted for up to 45 days and will be authorized only for entry into the CNMI and will not extend to other areas of the United States. DHS further stated that it will continue to evaluate the comments received regarding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and will work toward issuance of a final rule.
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