The Department of Homeland Security is suspending a visa-free travel program that allowed Chinese nationals to visit the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa, following months of pressure from Republican lawmakers who warned the program could be exploited for birth tourism and espionage.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the decision to end the Biden-era program, known as the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), which let prescreened Chinese nationals enter the US territory for stays of up to 14 days without going through a consulate for a visa.
The suspension takes effect at 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 30 and applies to both new applicants and travelers who were already approved under the program. Those currently in the territory may finish out their authorized stays, but will need a visa for any future visits unless another lawful exception applies. DHS said the program will remain suspended while it is reviewed alongside the Departments of State and the Interior.
The program launched in 2024 and began operating in 2025. In fiscal year 2025 alone, more than 3,000 Chinese nationals entered the Northern Mariana Islands through it, according to DHS. Travelers underwent screening by Customs and Border Protection but bypassed the standard visa process.
Lawmakers’ Concerns
In April, Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rick Scott, R-Fla., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., sent a letter to Mullin urging him to end the program, arguing it opened the door to birth tourism and created national security vulnerabilities.
Lee praised the decision on X, writing: “America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship. Thank you, President Trump!”
America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship. Thank you, President Trump!
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who raised concerns about the program in March along with Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., also welcomed the move. His office said in a statement that Roy “is pleased to hear the Trump Admin closed this dangerous loophole.”
Birth Tourism and Security Risks
Birth tourism refers to travel to the United States for the primary purpose of giving birth so a child gains automatic American citizenship. DHS noted that some travelers have concealed the true purpose of their trips when applying to enter the country.
In its notice announcing the suspension, DHS wrote: “While birth tourism has long been an issue in the CNMI, the availability of visa-exempt travel and reduced vetting under EVS-TAP may lower barriers to this practice.” The department also said birth tourism can put added strain on the islands’ medical system, though it did not provide a specific count of births linked to travelers who used the program.
DHS further warned that visa-free entry could be exploited for intelligence-gathering near US military facilities. The Northern Mariana Islands are home to Tinian Air Base, while nearby Guam hosts several military installations. Although EVS-TAP did not permit travel to Guam or the US mainland, DHS cited earlier cases of Chinese nationals being smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam. The department said those cases involved different travel arrangements but illustrated a vulnerability the newer program had not closed.
Part of a Broader Crackdown
The move is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to curb birth tourism nationally. A State Department task force launched Aug. 12 had revoked more than 750 visas tied to suspected birth tourism by late August, the department has said. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said officials are working with international partners and law enforcement to track travel patterns that may point to organized birth tourism networks, some of which he said coach travelers on concealing their trip’s purpose and avoiding medical bills.
The Northern Mariana Islands program is separate from the standard visitor visa process targeted by those revocations.
