Reference Citation

Pub. 110-229 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008
110th Congress
May 8, 2008
122 Stat. 754
_______________
S.2739
An Act
To authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the
Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving
the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political
Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association
Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Consolidated Natural Resources Act of
2008'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Note: This public law has been modified for I-Link to include only Title VII--Northern
Mariana Islands
TITLE VII--NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Subtitle A--Immigration, Security, and Labor
Sec. 701.
Statement of congressional intent.
Sec. 702.
Immigration reform for the Commonwealth.
Sec. 703.
Further amendments to Public Law 94-241.
Sec. 704.
Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 705.
Determination of election procedure.
Subtitle B--Northern Mariana Islands Delegate
Sec. 711.
Delegate to House of Representatives from Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands

Sec. 712.
Election of Delegate.
Sec. 713.
Qualifications for Office of Delegate.
Sec. 714.
Determination of election procedure.
Sec. 715.
Compensation, privileges, and immunities.
Sec. 716.
Lack of effect on covenant.
Sec. 717.
Definition.
Sec. 718.
Conforming amendments regarding appointments to military service
academies by Delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
TITLE VII--NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Subtitle A--Immigration, Security, and Labor
SEC. 701. STATEMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.
(a) Immigration and Growth- In recognition of the need to ensure uniform adherence to
long-standing fundamental immigration policies of the United States, it is the intention of
the Congress in enacting this subtitle-(1) to ensure that effective border control procedures are implemented and observed, and
that national security and homeland security issues are properly addressed, by extending
the immigration laws (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 (a)(17)), to apply to the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands (referred to in this subtitle as the `Commonwealth'), with special
provisions to allow for-(A) the orderly phasing-out of the nonresident contract worker program of the
Commonwealth; and
(B) the orderly phasing-in of Federal responsibilities over immigration in the
Commonwealth; and
(2) to minimize, to the greatest extent practicable, potential adverse economic and fiscal
effects of phasing-out the Commonwealth's nonresident contract worker program and to
maximize the Commonwealth's potential for future economic and business growth by-(A) encouraging diversification and growth of the economy of the Commonwealth in
accordance with fundamental values underlying Federal immigration policy;
(B) recognizing local self-government, as provided for in the Covenant To Establish a
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United
States of America through consultation with the Governor of the Commonwealth;
(C) assisting the Commonwealth in achieving a progressively higher standard of living
for citizens of the Commonwealth through the provision of technical and other assistance;
(D) providing opportunities for individuals authorized to work in the United States,
including citizens of the freely associated states; and

(E) providing a mechanism for the continued use of alien workers, to the extent those
workers continue to be necessary to supplement the Commonwealth's resident workforce,
and to protect those workers from the potential for abuse and exploitation.
(b) Avoiding Adverse Effects- In recognition of the Commonwealth's unique economic
circumstances, history, and geographical location, it is the intent of the Congress that the
Commonwealth be given as much flexibility as possible in maintaining existing
businesses and other revenue sources, and developing new economic opportunities,
consistent with the mandates of this subtitle. This subtitle, and the amendments made by
this subtitle, should be implemented wherever possible to expand tourism and economic
development in the Commonwealth, including aiding prospective tourists in gaining
access to the Commonwealth's memorials, beaches, parks, dive sites, and other points of
interest.
SEC. 702. IMMIGRATION REFORM FOR THE COMMONWEALTH.
(a) Amendment to Joint Resolution Approving Covenant Establishing Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands- The Joint Resolution entitled `A Joint Resolution to
approve the `Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in
Political Union with the United States of America', and for other purposes', approved
March 24, 1976 (Public Law 94-241; 90 Stat. 263), is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
`SEC. 6. IMMIGRATION AND TRANSITION.
`(a) Application of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Establishment of a
Transition Program`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), effective on the first day of the
first full month commencing 1 year after the date of enactment of the Consolidated
Natural Resources Act of 2008 (hereafter referred to as the `transition program effective
date'), the provisions of the `immigration laws' (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17))) shall apply to the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (referred to in this section as the
`Commonwealth'), except as otherwise provided in this section.
`(2) TRANSITION PERIOD- There shall be a transition period beginning on the
transition program effective date and ending on December 31, 2014, except as provided
in subsections (b) and (d), during which the Secretary of Homeland Security, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor,
and the Secretary of the Interior, shall establish, administer, and enforce a transition
program to regulate immigration to the Commonwealth, as provided in this section
(hereafter referred to as the `transition program').
`(3) DELAY OF COMMENCEMENT OF TRANSITION PERIOD-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Secretary's sole
discretion, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Labor, the
Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Governor of the Commonwealth, may
determine that the transition program effective date be delayed for a period not to exceed
more than 180 days after such date.
`(B) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
notify the Congress of a determination under subparagraph (A) not later than 30 days
prior to the transition program effective date.
`(C) CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW- A delay of the transition program effective date
shall not take effect until 30 days after the date on which the notification under
subparagraph (B) is made.
`(4) REQUIREMENT FOR REGULATIONS- The transition program shall be
implemented pursuant to regulations to be promulgated, as appropriate, by the head of
each agency or department of the United States having responsibilities under the
transition program.
`(5) INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS- The Secretary of Homeland Security, the
Secretary of State, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Interior shall negotiate
and implement agreements among their agencies to identify and assign their respective
duties so as to ensure timely and proper implementation of the provisions of this section.
The agreements should address, at a minimum, procedures to ensure that Commonwealth
employers have access to adequate labor, and that tourists, students, retirees, and other
visitors have access to the Commonwealth without unnecessary delay or impediment.
The agreements may also allocate funding between the respective agencies tasked with
various responsibilities under this section.
`(6) CERTAIN EDUCATION FUNDING- In addition to fees charged pursuant to section
286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m)) to recover the full
costs of providing adjudication services, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall charge
an annual supplemental fee of $150 per nonimmigrant worker to each prospective
employer who is issued a permit under subsection (d) of this section during the transition
period. Such supplemental fee shall be paid into the Treasury of the Commonwealth
government for the purpose of funding ongoing vocational educational curricula and
program development by Commonwealth educational entities.
`(7) ASYLUM- Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) shall
not apply during the transition period to persons physically present in the Commonwealth
or arriving in the Commonwealth (whether or not at a designated port of arrival),
including persons brought to the Commonwealth after having been interdicted in
international or United States waters.
`(b) Numerical Limitations for Nonimmigrant Workers- An alien, if otherwise qualified,
may seek admission to Guam or to the Commonwealth during the transition program as a

nonimmigrant worker under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)) without counting against the numerical limitations set
forth in section 214(g) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)). This subsection does not apply to
any employment to be performed outside of Guam or the Commonwealth. Not later than
3 years following the transition program effective date, the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall issue a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives projecting the number of
asylum claims the Secretary anticipates following the termination of the transition period,
the efforts the Secretary has made to ensure appropriate interdiction efforts, provide for
appropriate treatment of asylum seekers, and prepare to accept and adjudicate asylum
claims in the Commonwealth.
`(c) Nonimmigrant Investor Visas`(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding the treaty requirements in section 101(a)(15)(E) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)), during the transition
period, the Secretary of Homeland Security may, upon the application of an alien,
classify an alien as a CNMI-only nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)(ii)) if
the alien-`(A) has been admitted to the Commonwealth in long-term investor status under the
immigration laws of the Commonwealth before the transition program effective date;
`(B) has continuously maintained residence in the Commonwealth under long-term
investor status;
`(C) is otherwise admissible; and
`(D) maintains the investment or investments that formed the basis for such long-term
investor status.
`(2) REQUIREMENT FOR REGULATIONS- Not later than 60 days before the
transition program effective date, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall publish
regulations in the Federal Register to implement this subsection.
`(d) Special Provision To Ensure Adequate Employment; Commonwealth Only
Transitional Workers- An alien who is seeking to enter the Commonwealth as a
nonimmigrant worker may be admitted to perform work during the transition period
subject to the following requirements:
`(1) Such an alien shall be treated as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)), including the ability to
apply, if otherwise eligible, for a change of nonimmigrant classification under section
248 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1258) or adjustment of status under this section and section
245 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1255).

`(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish, administer, and enforce a system
for allocating and determining the number, terms, and conditions of permits to be issued
to prospective employers for each such nonimmigrant worker described in this subsection
who would not otherwise be eligible for admission under the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). In adopting and enforcing this system, the Secretary shall
also consider, in good faith and not later than 30 days after receipt by the Secretary, any
comments and advice submitted by the Governor of the Commonwealth. This system
shall provide for a reduction in the allocation of permits for such workers on an annual
basisto zero, during a period not to extend beyond December 31, 2014, unless extended
pursuant to paragraph 5 of this subsection. In no event shall a permit be valid beyond the
expiration of the transition period. This system may be based on any reasonable method
and criteria determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security to promote the maximum
use of, and to prevent adverse effects on wages and working conditions of, workers
authorized to be employed in the United States, including lawfully admissible freely
associated state citizen labor. No alien shall be granted nonimmigrant classification or a
visa under this subsection unless the permit requirements established under this
paragraph have been met.
`(3) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall set the conditions for admission of such an
alien under the transition program, and the Secretary of State shall authorize the issuance
of nonimmigrant visas for such an alien. Such a visa shall not be valid for admission to
the United States, as defined in section 101(a)(38) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(38)), except admission to the Commonwealth. An alien admitted to the
Commonwealth on the basis of such a visa shall be permitted to engage in employment
only as authorized pursuant to the transition program.
`(4) Such an alien shall be permitted to transfer between employers in the
Commonwealth during the period of such alien's authorized stay therein, without
permission of the employee's current or prior employer, within the alien's occupational
category or another occupational category the Secretary of Homeland Security has found
requires alien workers to supplement the resident workforce.
`(5)(A) Not later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the transition period, or any
extension thereof, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor of the
Commonwealth, shall ascertain the current and anticipated labor needs of the
Commonwealth and determine whether an extension of up to 5 years of the provisions of
this subsection is necessary to ensure an adequate number of workers will be available for
legitimate businesses in the Commonwealth. For the purpose of this subparagraph, a
business shall not be considered legitimate if it engages directly or indirectly in
prostitution, trafficking in minors, or any other activity that is illegal under Federal or
local law. The determinations of whether a business is legitimate and to what extent, if
any, it may require alien workers to supplement the resident workforce, shall be made by
the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Secretary's sole discretion.

`(B) If the Secretary of Labor determines that such an extension is necessary to ensure an
adequate number of workers for legitimate businesses in the Commonwealth, the
Secretary of Labor may, through notice published in the Federal Register, provide for an
additional extension period of up to 5 years.
`(C) In making the determination of whether alien workers are necessary to ensure an
adequate number of workers for legitimate businesses in the Commonwealth, and if so,
the number of such workers that are necessary, the Secretary of Labor may consider,
among other relevant factors-`(i) government, industry, or independent workforce studies reporting on the need, or lack
thereof, for alien workers in the Commonwealth's businesses;
`(ii) the unemployment rate of United States citizen workers residing in the
Commonwealth;
`(iii) the unemployment rate of aliens in the Commonwealth who have been lawfully
admitted for permanent residence;
`(iv) the number of unemployed alien workers in the Commonwealth;
`(v) any good faith efforts to locate, educate, train, or otherwise prepare United States
citizen residents, lawful permanent residents, and unemployed alien workers already
within the Commonwealth, to assume those jobs;
`(vi) any available evidence tending to show that United States citizen residents, lawful
permanent residents, and unemployed alien workers already in the Commonwealth are
not willing to accept jobs of the type offered;
`(vii) the extent to which admittance of alien workers will affect the compensation,
benefits, and living standards of existing workers within those industries and other
industries authorized to employ alien workers; and
`(viii) the prior use, if any, of alien workers to fill those industry jobs, and whether the
industry requires alien workers to fill those jobs.
`(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security may authorize the admission of a spouse or
minor child accompanying or following to join a worker admitted pursuant to this
subsection.
`(e) Persons Lawfully Admitted Under the Commonwealth Immigration Law`(1) PROHIBITION ON REMOVAL`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B), no alien who is lawfully present in the
Commonwealth pursuant to the immigration laws of the Commonwealth on the transition

program effective date shall be removed from the United States on the grounds that such
alien's presence in the Commonwealth is in violation of section 212(a)(6)(A) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(A)), until the earlier of the date-`(i) of the completion of the period of the alien's admission under the immigration laws of
the Commonwealth; or
`(ii) that is 2 years after the transition program effective date.
`(B) LIMITATIONS- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent or limit the
removal under subparagraph 212(a)(6)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1182(a)(6)(A)) of such an alien at any time, if the alien entered the
Commonwealth after the date of enactment of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of
2008, and the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that the Government of the
Commonwealth has violated section 702(i) of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of
2008.
`(2) EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION- An alien who is lawfully present and
authorized to be employed in the Commonwealth pursuant to the immigration laws of the
Commonwealth on the transition program effective date shall be considered authorized
by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be employed in the Commonwealth until the
earlier of the date-`(A) of expiration of the alien's employment authorization under the immigration laws of
the Commonwealth; or
`(B) that is 2 years after the transition program effective date.
`(3) REGISTRATION- The Secretary of Homeland Security may require any alien
present in the Commonwealth on or after the transition period effective date to register
with the Secretary in such a manner, and according to such schedule, as he may in his
discretion require. Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not apply to any alien
who fails to comply with such registration requirement. Notwithstanding any other law,
the Government of the Commonwealth shall provide to the Secretary all Commonwealth
immigration records or other information that the Secretary deems necessary to assist the
implementation of this paragraph or other provisions of the Consolidated Natural
Resources Act of 2008. Nothing in this paragraph shall modify or limit section 262 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1302) or other provision of the Immigration
and Nationality Act relating to the registration of aliens.
`(4) REMOVABLE ALIENS- Except as specifically provided in paragraph (1)(A) of this
subsection, nothing in this subsection shall prohibit or limit the removal of any alien who
is removable under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

`(5) PRIOR ORDERS OF REMOVAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security may
execute any administratively final order of exclusion, deportation or removal issued
under authority of the immigration laws of the United States before, on, or after the
transition period effective date, or under authority of the immigration laws of the
Commonwealth before the transition period effective date, upon any subject of such order
found in the Commonwealth on or after the transition period effective date, regardless
whether the alien has previously been removed from the United States or the
Commonwealth pursuant to such order.
`(f) Effect on Other Laws- The provisions of this section and of the immigration laws, as
defined in section 101(a)(17) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(17)), shall, on the transition program effective date, supersede and replace all
laws, provisions, or programs of the Commonwealth relating to the admission of aliens
and the removal of aliens from the Commonwealth.
`(g) Accrual of Time for Purposes of Section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act- No time that an alien is present in the Commonwealth in violation of the
immigration laws of the Commonwealth shall be counted for purposes of inadmissibility
under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(a)(9)(B)).
`(h) Report on Nonresident Guestworker Population- The Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Governor of the
Commonwealth, shall report to the Congress not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. The report shall include-`(1) the number of aliens residing in the Commonwealth;
`(2) a description of the legal status (under Federal law) of such aliens;
`(3) the number of years each alien has been residing in the Commonwealth;
`(4) the current and future requirements of the Commonwealth economy for an alien
workforce; and
`(5) such recommendations to the Congress, as the Secretary may deem appropriate,
related to whether or not the Congress should consider permitting lawfully admitted guest
workers lawfully residing in the Commonwealth on such enactment date to apply for
long-term status under the immigration and nationality laws of the United States.'.
(b) Waiver of Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visitors- The Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended-(1) in section 214(a)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1))--

(A) by striking `Guam' each place such term appears and inserting `Guam or the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands'; and
(B) by striking `fifteen' and inserting `45';
(2) in section 212(a)(7)(B) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)(B)), by amending clause
(iii) to read as follows:
`(iii) GUAM AND NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS VISA WAIVER- For provision
authorizing waiver of clause (i) in the case of visitors to Guam or the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, see subsection (l).'; and
(3) by amending section 212(l) (8 U.S.C. 1182(l)) to read as follows:
`(l) Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program`(1) IN GENERAL- The requirement of subsection (a)(7)(B)(i) may be waived by the
Secretary of Homeland Security, in the case of an alien applying for admission as a
nonimmigrant visitor for business or pleasure and solely for entry into and stay in Guam
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for a period not to exceed 45
days, if the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of State, the Governor of Guam and the Governor of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, determines that-`(A) an adequate arrival and departure control system has been developed in Guam and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
`(B) such a waiver does not represent a threat to the welfare, safety, or security of the
United States or its territories and commonwealths.
`(2) ALIEN WAIVER OF RIGHTS- An alien may not be provided a waiver under this
subsection unless the alien has waived any right-`(A) to review or appeal under this Act an immigration officer's determination as to the
admissibility of the alien at the port of entry into Guam or the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands; or
`(B) to contest, other than on the basis of an application for withholding of removal under
section 241(b)(3) of this Act or under the Convention Against Torture, or an application
for asylum if permitted under section 208, any action for removal of the alien.
`(3) REGULATIONS- All necessary regulations to implement this subsection shall be
promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of State, on or before the 180th day after the date of
enactment of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. The promulgation of such

regulations shall be considered a foreign affairs function for purposes of section 553(a) of
title 5, United States Code. At a minimum, such regulations should include, but not
necessarily be limited to-`(A) a listing of all countries whose nationals may obtain the waiver also provided by this
subsection, except that such regulations shall provide for a listing of any country from
which the Commonwealth has received a significant economic benefit from the number
of visitors for pleasure within the one-year period preceding the date of enactment of the
Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, unless the Secretary of Homeland Security
determines that such country's inclusion on such list would represent a threat to the
welfare, safety, or security of the United States or its territories; and
`(B) any bonding requirements for nationals of some or all of those countries who may
present an increased risk of overstays or other potential problems, if different from such
requirements otherwise provided by law for nonimmigrant visitors.
`(4) FACTORS- In determining whether to grant or continue providing the waiver under
this subsection to nationals of any country, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State, shall consider
all factors that the Secretary deems relevant, including electronic travel authorizations,
procedures for reporting lost and stolen passports, repatriation of aliens, rates of refusal
for nonimmigrant visitor visas, overstays, exit systems, and information exchange.
`(5) SUSPENSION- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall monitor the admission of
nonimmigrant visitors to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
under this subsection. If the Secretary determines that such admissions have resulted in
an unacceptable number of visitors from a country remaining unlawfully in Guam or the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, unlawfully obtaining entry to other
parts of the United States, or seeking withholding of removal or asylum, or that visitors
from a country pose a risk to law enforcement or security interests of Guam or the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or of the United States (including the
interest in the enforcement of the immigration laws of the United States), the Secretary
shall suspend the admission of nationals of such country under this subsection. The
Secretary of Homeland Security may in the Secretary's discretion suspend the Guam and
Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program at any time, on a country-by-country
basis, for other good cause.
`(6) ADDITION OF COUNTRIES- The Governor of Guam and the Governor of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands may request the Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Homeland Security to add a particular country to the list of countries
whose nationals may obtain the waiver provided by this subsection, and the Secretary of
Homeland Security may grant such request after consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of State, and may promulgate regulations with respect to the
inclusion of that country and any special requirements the Secretary of Homeland
Security, in the Secretary's sole discretion, may impose prior to allowing nationals of that
country to obtain the waiver provided by this subsection.'.

(c) Special Nonimmigrant Categories for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands- The Governor of Guam and the Governor of the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands (referred to in this subsection as `CNMI') may request that the
Secretary of Homeland Security study the feasibility of creating additional Guam or
CNMI-only nonimmigrant visas to the extent that existing nonimmigrant visa categories
under the Immigration and Nationality Act do not provide for the type of visitor, the
duration of allowable visit, or other circumstance. The Secretary of Homeland Security
may review such a request, and, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Interior, shall issue a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on
Natural Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives
with respect to the feasibility of creating those additional Guam or CNMI-only visa
categories. Consideration of such additional Guam or CNMI-only visa categories may
include, but are not limited to, special nonimmigrant statuses for investors, students, and
retirees, but shall not include nonimmigrant status for the purpose of employment in
Guam or the CNMI.
(d) Inspection of Persons Arriving From the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands; Guam and Northern Mariana Islands-Only Visas Not Valid for Entry Into Other
Parts of the United States- Section 212(d)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1182(d)(7)) is amended by inserting `the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands,' after `Guam,'.
(e) Technical Assistance Program(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Governor of the
Commonwealth, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce, and as provided
in the Interagency Agreements required to be negotiated under section 6(a)(4) of the Joint
Resolution entitled `A Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant To Establish a
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States
of America', and for other purposes', approved March 24, 1976 (Public Law 94-241), as
added by subsection (a), shall provide-(A) technical assistance and other support to the Commonwealth to identify opportunities
for, and encourage diversification and growth of, the economy of the Commonwealth;
(B) technical assistance, including assistance in recruiting, training, and hiring of
workers, to assist employers in the Commonwealth in securing employees first from
among United States citizens and nationals resident in the Commonwealth and if an
adequate number of such workers are not available, from among legal permanent
residents, including lawfully admissible citizens of the freely associated states; and
(C) technical assistance, including assistance to identify types of jobs needed, identify
skills needed to fulfill such jobs, and assistance to Commonwealth educational entities to

develop curricula for such job skills to include training teachers and students for such
skills.
(2) CONSULTATION- In providing such technical assistance under paragraph (1), the
Secretaries shall-(A) consult with the Government of the Commonwealth, local businesses, regional banks,
educational institutions, and other experts in the economy of the Commonwealth; and
(B) assist in the development and implementation of a process to identify opportunities
for and encourage diversification and growth of the economy of the Commonwealth and
to identify and encourage opportunities to meet the labor needs of the Commonwealth.
(3) COST-SHARING- For the provision of technical assistance or support under this
paragraph (other than that required to pay the salaries and expenses of Federal personnel),
the Secretary of the Interior shall require a non-Federal matching contribution of 10
percent.
(f) Operations(1) ESTABLISHMENT- At any time on and after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Labor may
establish and maintain offices and other operations in the Commonwealth for the purpose
of carrying out duties under-(A) the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and
(B) the transition program established under section 6 of the Joint Resolution entitled `A
Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America', and for other
purposes', approved March 24, 1976 (Public Law 94-241), as added by subsection (a).
(2) PERSONNEL- To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the
satisfactory performance of assigned duties under applicable law, the Attorney General,
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Labor shall recruit and hire
personnel from among qualified United States citizens and national applicants residing in
the Commonwealth to serve as staff in carrying out operations described in paragraph (1).
(g) Conforming Amendments to Public Law 94-241(1) AMENDMENTS- Public Law 94-241 is amended as follows:
(A) In section 503 of the covenant set forth in section 1, by striking subsection (a) and
redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively.
(B) By striking section 506 of the covenant set forth in section 1.

(C) In section 703(b) of the covenant set forth in section 1, by striking `quarantine,
passport, immigration and naturalization' and inserting `quarantine and passport'.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the
transition program effective date described in section 6 of Public Law 94-241 (as added
by subsection (a)).
(h) Reports to Congress(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than March 1 of the first year that is at least 2 full years
after the date of enactment of this subtitle, and annually thereafter, the President shall
submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report that evaluates the overall effect of
the transition program established under section 6 of the Joint Resolution entitled `A
Joint Resolution to approve the `Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America', and for other
purposes', approved March 24, 1976 (Public Law 94-241), as added by subsection (a),
and the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) on the Commonwealth.
(2) CONTENTS- In addition to other topics otherwise required to be included under this
subtitle or the amendments made by this subtitle, each report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of the efforts that have been undertaken during the period
covered by the report to diversify and strengthen the local economy of the
Commonwealth, including efforts to promote the Commonwealth as a tourist destination.
The report by the President shall include an estimate for the numbers of nonimmigrant
workers described under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)) necessary to avoid adverse economic effects in Guam and the
Commonwealth.
(3) GAO REPORT- The Government Accountability Office shall submit a report to the
Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, to include, at a
minimum, the following items:
(A) An assessment of the implementation of this subtitle and the amendments made by
this subtitle, including an assessment of the performance of Federal agencies and the
Government of the Commonwealth in meeting congressional intent.
(B) An assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of implementation of this
subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle on the economy of the
Commonwealth, including its ability to obtain workers to supplement its resident
workforce and to maintain access to its tourists and customers, and any effect on
compliance with United States treaty obligations mandating non-refoulement for
refugees.

(C) An assessment of the economic benefit of the investors `grandfathered' under
subsection (c) of section 6 of the Joint Resolution entitled `A Joint Resolution to approve
the `Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political
Union with the United States of America', and for other purposes', approved March 24,
1976 (Public Law 94-241), as added by subsection (a), and the Commonwealth's ability
to attract new investors after the date of enactment of this Act.
(D) An assessment of the number of illegal aliens in the Commonwealth, including any
Federal and Commonwealth efforts to locate and repatriate them.
(4) REPORTS BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT- The Governor of the Commonwealth
may submit an annual report to the President on the implementation of this subtitle, and
the amendments made by this subtitle, with recommendations for future changes. The
President shall forward the Governor's report to the Congress with any Administration
comment after an appropriate period of time for internal review, provided that nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to require the President to provide any legislative
recommendation to the Congress.
(5) REPORT ON FEDERAL PERSONNEL AND RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS- Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior and other departments and
agencies as may be deemed necessary, shall submit a report to the Committee on Natural
Resources, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on
the Judiciary of the Senate, on the current and planned levels of Transportation Security
Administration, United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Immigration
and Customs Enforcement, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and
United States Coast Guard personnel and resources necessary for fulfilling mission
requirements on Guam and the Commonwealth in a manner comparable to the level
provided at other similar ports of entry in the United States. In fulfilling this reporting
requirement, the Secretary shall consider and anticipate the increased requirements due to
the proposed realignment of military forces on Guam and in the Commonwealth and
growth in the tourism sector.
(i) Required Actions Prior to Transition Program Effective Date- During the period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the transition program
effective date described in section 6 of Public Law 94-241 (as added by subsection (a)),
the Government of the Commonwealth shall-(1) not permit an increase in the total number of alien workers who are present in the
Commonwealth as of the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) administer its nonrefoulement protection program--

(A) according to the terms and procedures set forth in the Memorandum of Agreement
entered into between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United
States Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, executed on September 12, 2003
(which terms and procedures, including but not limited to funding by the Secretary of the
Interior and performance by the Secretary of Homeland Security of the duties of
`Protection Consultant' to the Commonwealth, shall have effect on and after the date of
enactment of this Act), as well as CNMI Public Law 13-61 and the Immigration
Regulations Establishing a Procedural Mechanism for Persons Requesting Protection
from Refoulement; and
(B) so as not to remove or otherwise effect the involuntary return of any alien whom the
Protection Consultant has determined to be eligible for protection from persecution or
torture.
(j) Conforming Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act- The Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended-(1) in section 101(a)(15)(D)(ii), by inserting `or the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands' after `Guam' each time such term appears;
(2) in section 101(a)(36), by striking `and the Virgin Islands of the United States' and
inserting `the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands';
(3) in section 101(a)(38), by striking `and the Virgin Islands of the United States' and
inserting `the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands';
(4) in section 208, by adding at the end the following:
`(e) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands- The provisions of this section and
section 209(b) shall apply to persons physically present in the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands or arriving in the Commonwealth (whether or not at a
designated port of arrival and including persons who are brought to the Commonwealth
after having been interdicted in international or United States waters) only on or after
January 1, 2014.'; and
(5) in section 235(b)(1), by adding at the end the following:
`(G) COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS- Nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to authorize or require any person described in section
208(e) to be permitted to apply for asylum under section 208 at any time before January
1, 2014.'.
(k) Availability of Other Nonimmigrant Professionals- The requirements of section
212(m)(6)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(m)(6)(B)) shall not

apply to a facility in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the
Virgin Islands.
SEC. 703. FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC LAW 94-241.
Public Law 94-241, as amended, is further amended in section 4(c)(3) by striking the
colon after `Marshall Islands' and inserting the following: `, except that $200,000 in fiscal
year 2009 and $225,000 annually for fiscal years 2010 through 2018 are hereby
rescinded; Provided, That the amount rescinded shall be increased by the same
percentage as that of the annual salary and benefit adjustments for Members of Congress'.
SEC. 704. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
subtitle.
SEC. 705. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) In General- Except as specifically provided in this section or otherwise in this subtitle,
this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(b) Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act- The amendments to the
Immigration and Nationality Act made by this subtitle, and other provisions of this
subtitle applying the immigration laws (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17))) to the Commonwealth, shall take effect on
the transition program effective date described in section 6 of Public Law 94-241 (as
added by section 702(a)), unless specifically provided otherwise in this subtitle.
(c) Construction- Nothing in this subtitle or the amendments made by this subtitle shall
be construed to make any residence or presence in the Commonwealth before the
transition program effective date described in section 6 of Public Law 94-241 (as added
by section 702(a)) residence or presence in the United States, except that, for the purpose
only of determining whether an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as
defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(20))) has abandoned or lost such status by reason of absence from the United
States, such alien's presence in the Commonwealth before, on, or after the date of
enactment of this Act shall be considered to be presence in the United States.
Subtitle B--Northern Mariana Islands Delegate
SEC. 711. DELEGATE TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be represented in the United
States Congress by the Resident Representative to the United States authorized by section

901 of the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in
Political Union With the United States of America (approved by Public Law 94-241 (48
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)). The Resident Representative shall be a nonvoting Delegate to the
House of Representatives, elected as provided in this subtitle.
SEC. 712. ELECTION OF DELEGATE.
(a) Electors and Time of Election- The Delegate shall be elected-(1) by the people qualified to vote for the popularly elected officials of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
(2) at the Federal general election of 2008 and at such Federal general election every 2d
year thereafter.
(b) Manner of Election(1) IN GENERAL- The Delegate shall be elected at large and by a plurality of the votes
cast for the office of Delegate.
(2) EFFECT OF ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS- Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), if the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, provides for primary elections for the
election of the Delegate, the Delegate shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in
any general election for the office of Delegate for which such primary elections were
held.
(c) Vacancy- In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, the office of
Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor is elected and qualified.
(d) Commencement of Term- The term of the Delegate shall commence on the 3d day of
January following the date of the election.
SEC. 713. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE OF DELEGATE.
To be eligible for the office of Delegate a candidate shall-(1) be at least 25 years of age on the date of the election;
(2) have been a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years prior to the date of the
election;
(3) be a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
for at least 7 years prior to the date of the election;

(4) be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on the
date of the election; and
(5) not be, on the date of the election, a candidate for any other office.
SEC. 714. DETERMINATION OF ELECTION PROCEDURE.
Acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Government of the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands may determine the order of names on the ballot for
election of Delegate, the method by which a special election to fill a permanent vacancy
in the office of Delegate shall be conducted, the method by which ties between
candidates for the office of Delegate shall be resolved, and all other matters of local
application pertaining to the election and the office of Delegate not otherwise expressly
provided for in this subtitle.
SEC. 715. COMPENSATION, PRIVILEGES, AND IMMUNITIES.
Until the Rules of the House of Representatives are amended to provide otherwise, the
Delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall receive the same
compensation, allowances, and benefits as a Member of the House of Representatives,
and shall be entitled to whatever privileges and immunities are, or hereinafter may be,
granted to any other nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives.
SEC. 716. LACK OF EFFECT ON COVENANT.
No provision of this subtitle shall be construed to alter, amend, or abrogate any provision
of the covenant referred to in section 711 except section 901 of the covenant.
SEC. 717. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this subtitle, the term `Delegate' means the Resident Representative
referred to in section 711.
SEC. 718. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS REGARDING APPOINTMENTS TO
MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES BY DELEGATE FROM THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.
(a) United States Military Academy- Section 4342(a)(10) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by striking `resident representative' and inserting `Delegate in Congress'.
(b) United States Naval Academy- Section 6954(a)(10) of such title is amended by
striking `resident representative' and inserting `Delegate in Congress'.
(c) United States Air Force Academy- Section 9342(a)(10) of such title is amended by
striking `resident representative' and inserting `Delegate in Congress'.

§ 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status.
(w) CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1)
(5) Petition requirements. An employer that seeks to classify an alien as a CW-1
worker must pay the requisite petition fee and file a petition with USCIS plus the CNMI
education fee of $150 per beneficiary per year. If the beneficiary will perform services
for more than one employer, each employer must file a separate petition with USCIS.