Fighting for Timely CW-1 Processing

This week, I wrote to Acting Director of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Kika Scott, to raise urgent concerns about growing delays in the processing of CW-1 petitions. The CNMI’s transitional worker program is critical to our economy, and the backlog is creating serious uncertainty for employers, workers, and families across the Commonwealth. As we approach key deadlines—including the close of the 240-day employment authorization window and the start of FY2026 petitions—these delays are becoming more disruptive. I urged USCIS to prioritize resources and staffing for the CW program, improve transparency on processing timelines, and consider the unique labor challenges facing the CNMI. We need a system that works—one that is efficient, timely, and responsive to our community’s needs.