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

Bill: 110-hr-3079
Sponsor: Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large]
Introduced: 2007-07-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Alien labor
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Northern Mariana Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: 
Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Implementation Act - Extends U.S. immigration laws, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, subject to a transition period through December 31, 2017.
 
Northern Mariana Islands Delegate Act - 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.

action_date: 2007-12-11
text: 

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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530)
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 676.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-324.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-324.
action_date: 2007-12-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H15219-15224)
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H15219-15224)
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3079.
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H15219-15227)
action_date: 2007-12-11
text: Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-469, Part I.
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-469, Part I.
action_date: 2007-11-07
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-11-07
text: Subcommittee on Insular Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2007-11-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Introduced in House