Monday, February 02, 2009
Local
Monday, February 02, 2009

Delay start of federalization-Kilili

By Kristi Eaton
Reporter

Congressman Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan met with a Department of Homeland Security official recently in an effort to delay the start of the federalization law.

Sablan (I-MP) met with Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Richard Barth at the congressman's Cannon office building on Capitol Hill to exchange views and information about the impending transition to federal immigration beginning June 1. As part of the Public Law 110-229 signed into law last May by President Bush, federal immigration laws will extend to the CNMI, something that local government officials, business and tourism leaders, and community members believe will be detrimental to the Commonwealth's workforce, tourism market and economy.

“There are substantial reasons for pushing back the June 1 transition date,” Sablan said in a statement. “And Congress foresaw that there might be. That's why Public Law 110-229 does allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to decide to delay implementation. I had a very productive conversation with Mr. Barth, who brought a team of experts from the department with him to our meeting. I think we are in agreement that continued contact and discussion is going to be essential to a smooth transition and I look forward to working with the new Obama Administration in this way.”

One of the key reasons Sablan said he is asking for a delay is because there has been no money appropriated for border controls. One of the reasons that China and Russia were recently left out of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver program, Sablan noted, is that DHS believed border security was not adequate at this time.

“But this costs money. And no money has been appropriated by Congress to set up the NMI borders,” he said. “So it makes sense for me to work in Congress to get the needed funds for fiscal year 2010 and have DHS complete the build up of the entry points after Oct. 1, when the fiscal year begins and new money could be available.”

A change in administration has also affected the timing of the implementation, Sablan said. With Obama and his new cabinet members just now coming into office, publishing regulations regarding investor visas and other federalization issues have been delayed, therefore leaving little time for public comment and consideration before June 1.

“When the law was drafted, I don't think anyone took into account how a presidential transition might affect the implementation timeline. But this is another reason that it makes sense to use the 180-day extension the law allows,” he added. “We want to make sure that when federal immigration control begins it doesn't hurt individuals and businesses already in the Commonwealth. That's why I'm working for the six month delay.”

Meanwhile, the congressman said a Legislature-approved bill would triple funding for the CNMI's children's health insurance program

“This is one of the largest percentage increases for any state or territory,” he said. “And the bill is on track to be signed into law very shortly.”

The State Children's Health Insurance Program is targeted at families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance for their children. Democrats in Congress twice had similar legislation vetoed by Bush. Obama is expected to sign the new SCHIP bill, fulfilling a campaign pledge to expand health insurance coverage for children.