WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan is pushing ahead with his effort to get an extra 180 days before federal immigration control begins in the islands.

Sablan 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.

“There are substantial reasons for pushing back the June 1 transition date,” Sablan said. “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.”

He added, “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.”

Among the key issues that Sablan believes argue for a extension of time is the difficulty of putting up adequate border controls in the little time between now and June 1.

“One of the reasons that the visa waiver program for Chinese and Russian tourists is a problem,” according to Kilili, “is that DHS wants to have the ability to use state-of-the-art immigration controls at the six CNMI border entries. But this costs money. And no money has been appropriated by Congress to set up the NMI borders. 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.”

Sablan said he and Barth also discussed the timing of the transition.

The change of administrations in Washington has resulted in a delay in publishing regulations covering investor visas and other issues related to the federalization of immigration in the Northern Marianas.

Sablan said there is little time for public comment and consideration of those regulations before they have to go into effect on June 1.

“We want to make sure that when federal immigration control begins it doesn’t hurt individuals and businesses already in the commonwealth,” said Sablan. “That’s why I’m working for the six-month delay.”