IIB 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3079 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
DECEMBER 12, 2007 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources 
AN ACT 
To amend the joint resolution that approved the covenant 
establishing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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TITLE I—NORTHERN MARIANA 
ISLANDS IMMIGRATION, SE-
CURITY, AND LABOR ACT 
SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Northern Mariana Is-
lands Immigration, Security, and Labor Act’’. 
SEC. 102. 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 title— 
(1) to ensure that effective border control pro-
cedures are implemented and observed, and that na-
tional security and homeland security issues are 
properly addressed, by extending the immigration 
laws (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of the Immi-
gration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 
(a)(17)), to apply to the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands (referred to in this title 
as the ‘‘Commonwealth’’), with special provisions to 
allow for— 
(A) the orderly phasing-out of the non-
resident contract worker program of the Com-
monwealth; and 
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(B) the orderly phasing-in of Federal re-
sponsibilities over immigration in the Common-
wealth; and 
(2) to minimize, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, potential adverse economic and fiscal effects 
of phasing-out the Commonwealth’s nonresident con-
tract worker program and to maximize the Common-
wealth’s potential for future economic and business 
growth by— 
(A) encouraging diversification and growth 
of the economy of the Commonwealth in accord-
ance with fundamental values underlying Fed-
eral immigration policy; 
(B) recognizing local self-government, as 
provided for in the Covenant To Establish a 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands in Political Union With the United States 
of America through consultation with the Gov-
ernor of the Commonwealth; 
(C) assisting the Commonwealth in achiev-
ing a progressively higher standard of living for 
citizens of the Commonwealth through the pro-
vision of technical and other assistance; 
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(D) providing opportunities for individuals 
authorized to work in the United States, includ-
ing citizens of the freely associated states; and 
(E) providing a mechanism for the contin-
ued 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, his-
tory, and geographical location, it is the intent of the Con-
gress that the Commonwealth be given as much flexibility 
as possible in maintaining existing businesses and other 
revenue sources, and developing new economic opportuni-
ties, consistent with the mandates of this title. This title, 
and the amendments made by this title, should be imple-
mented wherever possible to expand tourism and economic 
development in the Commonwealth, including aiding pro-
spective tourists in gaining access to the Commonwealth’s 
memorials, beaches, parks, dive sites, and other points of 
interest. 
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SEC. 103. IMMIGRATION REFORM FOR THE COMMON-
WEALTH. 
(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 Is-
lands in Political Union with the United States of Amer-
ica’, 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 NA-
TIONALITY 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 the en-
actment of the Northern Mariana Islands Immigra-
tion, Security, and Labor Act (hereafter referred to 
as the ‘transition program effective date’), the provi-
sions 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 Common-
wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (referred to 
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