Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act

To amend the joint resolution that approved the covenant establishing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes.

12/11/2007--Passed House amended. Title I: Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act - Northern Mariana Islands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act -
(Sec. 103) Extends U.S. immigration laws, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), subject to a transition period through December 31, 2013. Sets forth provisions respecting:
(1) numerical limitations for nonimmigrant workers (parallel provisions for Guam and the CNMI);
(2) nonimmigrant investors and nonimmigrant workers; and
(3) removal. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress respecting nonresident guestworkers in the CNMI. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for CNMI nonimmigrant visitor visa waivers (as currently provided for Guam) for stays of up to 45 days (current law provides for 15-day stays) in Guam or the CNMI. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to monitor such admissions and suspend the entry of nationals from a country whose nationals have created an unacceptable number of program violations or pose security or law enforcement risks. Provides that a person:
(1) seeking U.S. entry from the CNMI shall be processed under existing immigration authority regarding entry from Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and
(2) denied admission shall be immediately removed. Authorizes:
(1) additional countries to be added to such visa waiver program;
(2) creation of additional Guam or CNMI-only nonimmigrant visas; and
(3) the Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Secretary of Labor to establish CNMI immigration operations offices. Directs the President and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress respecting the transition program. Authorizes the Governor of CNMI to report to the President respecting the program. States that the CNMI government shall:
(1) not permit an increase in the number of alien workers in the CNMI as of the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) administer its non-refoulement protection program in accordance with its September 2003 agreement with the Department of the Interior. Exempts hospitals in Guam, the CNMI, and the U.S. Virgin Islands from certain nurse admissions requirements.
(Sec. 104) Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act -
(Sec. 202) States that:
(1) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be represented in the U.S. Congress by the Resident Representative to the United States (authorized by the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America); and
(2) the Resident Representative shall be a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives and elected as provided for by this Act.


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Sponsor

• Rep. Donna Christensen [D, VI-0]
• and 3 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Madeleine Bordallo [D, GU-0]
  • Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
  • Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
  close

Committees

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources
• 3 more
  • House Judiciary
  • House Natural Resources
  • House Natural Resources
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Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.3079

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
July 18, 2007		December 11, 2007

Show All Actions (18 actions)Hide Actions

All Bill Actions

• Jun 11, 2008: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
• Added to calendar on Apr 10, 2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 676..
• Apr 10, 2008: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-324.
• Dec 12, 2007: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• Dec 11, 2007: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
• Passed by voice vote in the House on Dec 11, 2007. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
• Dec 11, 2007: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3079.
• Dec 11, 2007: Considered under suspension of the rules.
• Dec 11, 2007: Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• Dec 04, 2007: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-469, Part I.
• Dec 04, 2007: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on 110-469, Part I.
• Dec 04, 2007: Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than Dec. 11, 2007 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.
• Added to calendar on Nov 07, 2007: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote..
• Nov 07, 2007: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs Discharged.
• Nov 07, 2007: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
• Jul 27, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs.
• Jul 18, 2007: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• Introduced on Jul 18, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• S.1634
• S.2739

Related Issue Areas:

• Immigration
• Alien labor
• Congress
• Congressional elections
• 11 more
• Congressional investigations
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Economic development
• Economic growth
• Economic policy
• Elections
• Federal-territorial relations
• House of Representatives
• Labor
• Members of Congress
• Northern Mariana Islands

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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In the News

May 01, 2008 GAO: Covenant allows Congress to federalize NMI immigration

The GAO was asked to review key provisions of HR 3079, the CNMI federalization bill, that was lumped into the omnibus package bill S. 2739 that now awaits ...

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Source: Marianas Variety, Micronesia

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April 30, 2008 Congress OKs federalization bill

Christensen, expressing a strong concern that all people on the CNMI have an opportunity to voice their opinions on HR 3079, held the first Congressional ...

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Source: Saipan Tribune, Micronesia

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April 29, 2008 House approved immigration extension for CNMI

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Source: KUAM.com, GU

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Blog Coverage

May 01, 2008 Philippine Consulate

Jim Benedetto, the Federal Ombudsman, will be speaking at the Philippine Consulate Office on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 6:00p.m. to answer questions and clarify misconceptions concerning HR 3079 and PL 15-108 Philippine Consulate New ...

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Source: Ginebo53

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April 30, 2008 Congress OKs federalization bill

Christensen, expressing a strong concern that all people on the CNMI have an opportunity to voice their opinions on HR 3079, held the first Congressional hearing on the islands in August 2007.

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Source: Guam-Guam-Guam

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April 14, 2008 New Law to Protect OFWs in Saipan from Abuse

The move to improve the working conditions of alien workers paved the way for the approval of bill HR 3079 or the NMI Immigration, Security and Labor Act (ISLA) by the US House of Representatives. This law that transferred the US ...

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Source: KAKAMMPI News

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