ST - DHS grants 180-day delay

Saipan Tribune

DHS grants 180-day delay


Thursday, April 02, 2009

By Kristi Eaton


Reporter

They asked for it and they got it. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday announced the June 1 start date to the federalization law will be delayed by 180 days-the maximum amount allowed by law-until Nov. 28, 2009.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The extension means the CNMI will continue to administer its own immigration system until Nov. 28.

The proposed joint Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, which excludes the emerging Chinese and Russian markets, will also not go into effect until Nov. 28.

Guam's own visa program will operate until Nov. 28."

"According to a DHS statement issued yesterday, “Under the CNRA, the Secretary of DHS has the sole authority to delay the June 1, 2009, transition date to U.S. immigration law up to 180 days, after consultation with the secretaries of Labor, Interior and State, the attorney general, and the governor of the CNMI.

The Secretary has determined based upon those consultations that it is advisable to exercise that authority fully.” "

"The delay will allow DHS to draft and release the remaining regulations relating to the law, and allow for enough time for the public to comment.

The proposed Visa Waiver Program is the only regulation that has been released for public comment, and it has received opposition from many in the CNMI community."

&

"As it is right now, some legal residents of the Commonwealth who do not have a valid U.S. visa will not be able to re-enter the CNMI if they must leave for a medical emergency or other reason."

ST - Visa waiver program not affected by federal regs freeze

From my archive of press clippings:

Saipan Tribune

Visa waiver program not affected by federal regs freeze

Friday, January 23, 2009

By Kristi Eaton Reporter

Regulations relating to the impending federalization law, including the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, will not be affected by President Barack Obama's decision to freeze all pending federal regulations until further review, several government officials said yesterday.

Read the whole article here.

PNC - New Visa Waiver Rules Posted On "www.regulations.gov" Website

From my archive of press clippings:

Pacific News Center

New Visa Waiver Rules Posted On "www.regulations.gov" Website

Written by Kevin Kerrigan Wednesday, 14 January 2009 13:59
Guam

Guam - The new Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver regulations are now up on the regulations.gov website, where all federal rules and regulations are posted.


Read the new Visa Waiver regulations


The entry, at first, looks much like the notice filed last November that caused a flurry of worry over the possible rejection of the China-Russia Visa waiver program.
However there are significant changes.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The notice points out that Guam's current Visa waiver program, which grants a 15 day visa-free stay for visitors from eligable countries, will soon be superseded by the new Joint Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver program. That takes effect June 1st, at the same time that the CNMI Federalization law goes into force.

The new Joint Guam-CNMI Visa waiver program will expand the current 15 day visa-free stay to a 45 day stay without a visa for all countries currently eligable under the Guam-only visa waiver program. That includes Hong Kong and other countries. The Department of Homeland Security has 180 days or six months (June 1st) to put into effect these new regulations."