PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Feb 7, 2000
Northern Mariana Islands Covenant Implementation Act - Declares it is Congress' intention in enacting this legislation to: (1) ensure effective immigration control by extending the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, in full to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with special provisions allowing for the orderly phasing-out of the nonresident contract worker program, and the orderly phasing-in of Federal responsibilities over immigration, there; and (2) minimize, to the greatest extent possible, potential adverse effects such phase-out might have on the economy of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.(Sec. 2) Amends the Covenant to establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America (the Covenant Act) to apply the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, to the Commonwealth over a ten-year transition period during which the Attorney General shall implement an immigration transition program for it.Sets forth a statutory scheme for: (1) temporary alien workers; (2) immigrants; (3) adequate employment in Commonwealth's tourism industry after the transition period ends; (4) nonimmigrant investor visas; (5) lawful entry under Commonwealth immigration laws; and (6) entry into the Commonwealth under grandfather provisions for certain long-term employees.Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Labor to develop a technical assistance program to aid Commonwealth employers in securing employees from among U.S. labor, including lawfully admissible freely associated state citizen labor. Authorizes appropriations.Authorizes the Attorney General and the Secretary of Labor to establish Immigration and Naturalization Service, Executive Office of Immigration Review, and Department of Labor operations in the Commonwealth.Directs the President to report to certain congressional committees an evaluation of the overall effect of the transition program and the Immigration and Nationality Act upon the Commonwealth.Prohibits the Commonwealth from permitting an increase in the total number of alien workers present there on the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK] · R–AK
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S370-373)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S370-373)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S355-367, S369-373; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S355-358)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 360.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-204.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-204.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-326.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of Justice, OMB.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5301-5305)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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