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Rahall, Christensen Applaud Signing of CNMI Immigration, Delegate Bill

Friday: May 09, 2008

(Media Release)

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and Subcommittee on Insular Affairs Chairwoman Donna M. Christensen (D-VI) released the following statements commemorating the President’s signing into law earlier today of the Consolidated Natural Resources At of 2008 (S. 2739), which contains provisions that will extend U.S. immigration laws to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and authorize a CNMI non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Enactment of this bill ushers in a new era for the people of the CNMI – one that promises closer cooperation and greater consultation among the territory, the Federal government, and the U.S. Congress.  This long-awaited victory is a critical step toward preventing a recurrence of the horrible abuses that pervaded the CNMI as a result of an unchecked and ruthless garment industry.  As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to welcoming a CNMI Delegate to this body in the 111th Congress,” Rahall said.

“Today is a historic victory for the many people of the CNMI who have been frustrated by the lack of representation in the U.S. Congress and the poor management of local immigration policy.  Finally, with the signing of this bill into law, every United States citizen, from the Virgin Islands to the Mariana Islands, will have a voice in Congress.  The actions taken by the New Democratic Congress to pass this legislation serve to set the CNMI and the entire Marianas region on a new course of security and prosperity,” Christensen said.