A new bill introduced by CNMI Del. Gregorio Sablan in U.S. Congress seeks to offer 1,600 long-term foreign workers living in the Northern Marianas since 2015 Commonwealth-only permanent status so they can remain living there. 

Sablan noted that the number of people living in the CNMI dropped by 12.2 percent in the past decade, resulting in lower tax revenues for the government and less customers for local businesses. The CNMI population in 2010 was approximately 53,000 and the latest U.S. Census shows it is now around 47,000. Sablan said his legislation fits into the larger goal of strengthening America's position in the region with China's growing influence.