Comment Submitted by Ronnie D. Hodges, Saipan

The proposed investor visa regulations accompanying the November 28, 2009 federal intervention of NMI labor and immigration from the Department of Homeland Security are comprehensive, flexible, and perfect for the future of the CNMI. The regulations address all of our concerns with security, dependence on foreign labor, guarantees to increase the standard of living and quality of life for local citizens, reducing the criminal element residing here, will reduce ice and other contraband shipped through the CNMI, will open opportunity for local young people by upgrading the quality of our investors, and will guarantee that the control and governance of our islands will rest with local citizens. The CNMI absolutely needs investors who have paid the minimum US requirements for visa eligibility. I would not support extending the 2014 deadline for investor compliance to US law. We need an economy where foreign investors and workers don’t send their money abroad, but keep it here. Wiping the remnants of the garment industry away will pave the way for more affluent investors and tourists who reside here out of love for the natural beauty of these islands and the friendly laid back nature of its inhabitants. Our local legislature should concentrate on local issues to improve aesthetics, infrastructure, and our business climate. They should prioritize projects such as the proposed Beach Road revitalization, Beautify the CNMI clean-up activities, seeking funding for our water crisis, addressing our canine concerns, ending the land alienation debacle which has stifled progress, and improving our tax code to attract wealthy investors that will employ locals and contribute to our community. I would like to thank members of the US Department of Homeland Security for such a thorough and well thought out set of regulations. Sincerely, Ron Hodges Saipan Northern Marianas Islands