With the news that another major investor is considering changing plans for a hotel casino on the island of Tinian in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), members of the local Chamber of Commerce are to discuss their concerns over the federalisation of CNMI immigration from 1 June 2009. The US visa waiver programme will not include tourists from China and Russia, and the Tinian gaming industry relies heavily on Chinese visitors.

The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission has said that placing CNMI immigration under federal control will affect the operation of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino and the business strategies of three other investors proposing to build a total of at least US$540 million worth of casino resort projects. In September last year the Commission granted Korean company Neo Goldwings Paradise a conditional casino licence. The company is now considering discontinuing with its casino project.

The announcement from Neo Goldwings Paradise follows the statement by Bridge Investment that they were re-evaluating their casino development on the island and construction would not continue until a clear and final US Immigration regulatory environment can be determined. The CNMI Governor, Benigno R. Fitial, is to ask Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano to delay the implementation of federalization for 180 days.

Surprise has been expresses over the lack of consideration for the CNMI economy under the federalised system, which will also affect foreign workers. If non-resident workers are restricted then businesses will have difficulty hiring sufficient employees, both skilled and unskilled. Apart from losing investment money the islands’ economy stands to lose over US$180 million under the new immigration system. (E-02.18.09)

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