King-Hinds acknowledges delays in C37 EAD renewals, offers congressional assistance

Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds is aware of significant delays affecting C37 employment authorization document renewal applications and understands the growing concern among workers whose permits are set to expire early this year, her office said.

Under USCIS, C37 represents the eligibility category for a CNMI Long-Term Resident who is applying for an Employment Authorization Document or EAD.

According to the congresswoman’s office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processing times for C37 EAD renewals are currently exceeding the posted six-month estimate, and unlike other categories, there is no automatic extension available for C37 beneficiaries while applications remain pending.

The delays may be partly due to a change in processing location. Current C37 renewals are being handled by the USCIS National Benefits Center, rather than the Seattle Service Center, which processed earlier filings.

King-Hinds’ district offices on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota can provide assistance on a case-by-case basis, the office said. Applicants seeking congressional help must submit a completed privacy release form along with copies of any available filing documentation. This is particularly important for applicants who have not received USCIS receipt notices despite having their filing fees accepted.

“For anyone seeking help, caseworkers at the congressional office will need a completed privacy release form, along with copies of any available filing documentation. This is especially important for applicants who have not received receipt notices despite their filing fees being accepted. Once those materials are submitted, they should be provided directly to the district office so we can initiate an inquiry with USCIS. Individuals experiencing delays are encouraged to contact the district office,” it wrote.

Once the required materials are submitted, the district office can initiate an inquiry with USCIS. Detailed case information helps demonstrate the real-world impact of prolonged processing delays when the office engages with the agency, King-Hinds’ staff said.

Workers experiencing delays are encouraged to contact the congresswoman’s district office. The online privacy release form is available at https://digitalprf.house.gov/AddressAuthentication?id=MP00. Contact information for the CNMI district offices can be found at https://king-hinds.house.gov/contact/office-locations.

Meanwhile, a group of C37 workers has appealed for the congresswoman’s direct intervention, citing mounting anxiety as expiration dates approach. Some applicants report EADs expiring as early as January 2026, with others set to lapse between January and April, while approvals remain pending.

“In the past, former Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan was able to assist applicants whose applications were initially rejected. With his help, those applications were eventually accepted and approved. We are hopeful that, with Congresswoman King-Hinds’ assistance, USCIS may review and process our renewal applications in a timely manner so we may receive our approvals prior to expiration,” they wrote to Marianas Press. 

Several applicants said they have received receipt notices but have seen no movement on their cases, while others report never receiving receipts at all despite USCIS cashing their filing fees. The group noted that similar issues arose in the past and that congressional intervention previously helped resolve rejected or stalled applications.

The applicants said their list represents only a small portion of around a thousand C37 renewals currently pending with USCIS and urged timely action to prevent work disruptions and loss of lawful employment.