Torres: Guam Families Still Waiting for Answers on USCIS Policy

Former Senator Mary Camacho Torres releases the following statement following the Office of Delegate Moylan’s recent remarks to the press on the new USCIS policy:

“Although I directly raised these questions to Delegate Moylan, he did not respond to me. Instead, his office responded to media inquiries regarding the policy, and in doing so did not directly address the questions I raised. As a result, several important issues remain unresolved.

Most importantly, the Delegate’s office has neither confirmed nor denied whether he requested any Guam-specific relief from USCIS, including a waiver, exemption, delayed implementation, or other accommodation in response to this policy. The issue before Guam is not the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. The question I asked is whether any Guam-specific relief has been sought from USCIS regarding a policy that could affect workers, families, and employers on our island.

The response also appears to overlook the practical impact this policy could have on Guam’s businesses, workforce, and families. For decades, individuals lawfully present on Guam have been able to pursue adjustment of status without leaving the island. If that process becomes more restrictive and applicants must complete portions of it through consular channels in their home countries, it could create added costs, uncertainty, travel burdens, workforce disruptions, and family hardships.

The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and adjustment-of-status policy are two different issues serving two different purposes. One concerns temporary visitor access. The other concerns immigration processing for individuals already lawfully present in the United States. The response from the Delegate’s office did not explain whether any Guam-specific relief had been requested from USCIS regarding the latter.

Guam deserves clarity. Employers deserve clarity. Families deserve clarity. If no request for relief has been made, the people of Guam deserve to know. If action has been taken, they deserve to know that as well.

That is why I continue to call for a clear update from our Delegate regarding what steps, if any, have been taken to protect Guam’s interests.” Instagram

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