Bill Overview
Title: To amend Public Law 94-241 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of permits that are available for employers in Construction and Extraction Occupations seeking Commonwealth Only Transitional Workers, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, by the request of the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, to increase the annual cap on nonimmigrants permitted to perform construction work associated with preparation for or recovery from a major disaster or emergency in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Sponsors: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Nonimmigrant workers in Construction and Extraction Occupations in the Northern Mariana Islands
Estimated Size: 500
- The bill concerns nonimmigrants in Construction and Extraction Occupations.
- The bill specifically targets the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. Commonwealth.
- These workers are likely to be from countries outside the U.S. mainland and intended for temporary work.
- The nonimmigrants covered would primarily be those who work in construction, helping in major disaster recovery or preparation.
Reasoning
- The primary targets of this policy are nonimmigrant workers, directly affected by the opportunity to work and earn in the Northern Mariana Islands. This means most direct U.S. impacts may be indirect through economic stimulation of local services and infrastructure.
- The budget constraints mean that the policy will be limited in scope, potentially affecting only a small number of additional workers each year, given the cost of living and operational expenses associated with construction in the Islands.
- Indirectly, U.S. citizens and businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands may experience benefits through improved infrastructure, which could enhance local living conditions and potentially stimulate local economies.
- Moreover, construction improvements can provide better disaster preparedness, possibly lowering future recovery costs and impacts, thereby benefitting local permanent residents indirectly.
- Given the policy's focus on nonimmigrant workers, most people in the U.S. won't perceive a direct impingement on job opportunities or living standards, but indirect benefits might be recognized in terms of better disaster management and regional stability.
Simulated Interviews
Construction Manager (Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems beneficial for our construction projects here, especially when we encounter big needs after storms.
- Having additional skilled labor will help meet deadlines and improve quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tourism Consultant (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better infrastructure supports tourism, which is key in these islands.
- More workers could mean faster recovery from typhoons, benefiting tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Labor Union Representative (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's essential to ensure that these policies don't undercut U.S. worker standards.
- There should be checks to prevent abuse of nonimmigrant labor.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Local Business Owner (Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The influx of workers is crucial for my business as they are often customers.
- The more workers, the more I sell, which boosts my livelihood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Disaster Response Coordinator (Guam)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding the worker cap should speed up recovery times after disasters.
- It will help align the regional response efforts more effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Teacher (Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More construction projects mean more students and challenges, but also opportunities.
- Improved infrastructure could make the community more cohesive and prosperous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (US Mainland)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a proactive measure to balance workforce needs and disaster recovery.
- It's an example of policy tailored for unique community challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Nurse (Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rebuilding takes too long after storms; more workers should help.
- However, I hope local voices are still heard in planning and execution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Economist (New York, US Mainland)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's fascinating to see niche policies focusing on specific U.S. territories.
- The effects might not be widespread but could be pivotal locally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Local Government Official (Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a crucial measure to address labor shortages during crucial rebuilding phases.
- We need the expertise and manpower following disasters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5150000 (Low: $3090000, High: $7210000)
Year 3: $5304500 (Low: $3182700, High: $7426300)
Year 5: $5619697 (Low: $3360000, High: $7846000)
Year 10: $6239606 (Low: $3725400, High: $8691600)
Year 100: $10436848 (Low: $6222100, High: $14516400)
Key Considerations
- The administrative costs for processing increased nonimmigrant permits.
- Potential economic stimulation and job creation in the Northern Mariana Islands from recovered disaster areas.
- The indirect benefits of faster disaster recovery and preparation, reducing economic disruptions.
- The challenge of ensuring compliance and management of the programs.