Local
Thursday, September 02, 2010

Labor announces mandatory alien registration

The Commonwealth has been registering aliens annually since 1985. After the Immigration Division was disbanded, its former task of registering aliens was assigned to the Department of Labor.

“Every alien who has an ID card issued by the CNMI after Jan. 1, 2010 is already registered,” said Labor deputy secretary Jacinta Kaipat. “Those aliens need do nothing further until next year.”

Workers whose contracts are renewed during 2010 are automatically registered in the contract process and their new updated ID cards have been issued. The same is true for all foreign investors, foreign business owners, foreign students, and immediate relatives who already have CNMI-issued ID cards for 2010. Those persons are already registered and need not do anything further about registration this year.

“We are now working on registering all other aliens in the Commonwealth, including immediate relatives, common law spouses, minors, victims of crime and aliens eligible under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), and all others,” Kaipat said.

Registration is required of all aliens other than lawful permanent residents (green card holders), regardless of status. There is no fee for these registrations.

For aliens who do not have a prior-year registration or permit card, the documentation required for registration includes a passport-sized photo, a completed registration form, and personal identification showing birth date. The registration form is on the department's website, www.marianaslabor.net.

The registration window will be open from 8:15am to 4:15pm, Monday through Thursday.

The schedule for registration is as follows:

* Sept. 7-24: Aliens in the 240K classification who are not already registered (current or former workers)

* Sept. 27-Oct. 14: Aliens in the 240G, 240H, and 240N classifications who are not already registered (current or former investors, students, and business owners)

* Oct. 18-Nov. 3: IRs in all classifications who are not already registered (current IRs of U.S. citizens, foreign workers, foreign students, foreign investors, and foreign business owners)

* Nov. 8-30: All other aliens regardless of status

Alien registration cards will be available for pickup either at the time of the registration or within a few days after the registration form is filed.

“Aliens who register may also have their umbrella permit status problems addressed at the same time,” Kaipat said. “Those who did not make their report-back date for some reason or who have other umbrella permit issues may request to have their umbrella permits or existing permits updated when they register.

Registration is required under Commonwealth PL 17-1. (PR)