The Department of Homeland Security is suspending the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) for Chinese nationals visiting the Northern Mariana Islands. Effective October 30, the move aims to curb birth tourism and potential espionage near critical U.S. military hubs.
The end of the 3,000-visitor EVS-TAP program
The EVS-TAP program, which was established in 2024, provided a streamlined entry process for Chinese citizens to visit the Northern Mariana Islands. According to DHS, more than 3,000 Chinese nationals utilized this program during fiscal year 2025. While these travelers underwent screening by Customs and Border Protection, they were exempt from the standard consulate visa requirement, allowing for stays of up to 14 days.
This suspension is part of a broader policy shift by the Trump administration regarding Pacific territories. The decision targets both new applicants and those already approved for travel, though current visitors may finish their authorized stays.. The move follows months of pressure from Republican lawmakers, including Senators Mike Lee, Rick Scott, John Cornyn, and Bill Cassidy, who urged the administration to close what they viewed as a security loophole.
Security risks near Tinian Air Base and Guam
DHS officials have expressed significant concern that the visa-free program could be exploited for intelligence gathering near critical U.S. military installations. the Northern Mariana Islands are home to the Tinian Air Base, and the proximity to Guam—a major U.S. military hub—creates a perceived vulnerability. As the report states, there have been historical instances of Chinese nationals being smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam.
National security advocates, including Senator Mike Lee, have argued that the program posed a threat to American sovereignty. In a post on X, Lee characterized the program as a way for the Chinese Communist Party to "steal citizenship." The administration's decision aims to mitigate the risk of espionage and illegal onward travel that could compromise the security of these strategic Pacific assets.
A crackdown on 750 revoked birth tourism visas
The suspension of EVS-TAP aligns with a wider federl effort to dismantle birth tourism networks. A State Department task force, launched on August 12, has already revoked more than 750 visas linked to suspected birth tourism activity as of late August. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital that officials are actively working with international partners to identify and disrupt these travel patterns.
Birth tourism involves traveling to the United States specifically to give birth so the child can obtain American citizenship. According to the DHS notice, the EVS-TAP program lowered barriers for this practice, potentially straining the medical infrastructure of the Northern Mariana Islands. The administration is now focusing on identifying networks that coach travelers on how to conceal their true intentions or avoid paying medical expenses.
The missing data on CNMI medical system strain
While the DHS has cited the strain on the Northern Mariana Islands' medical system as a primary driver for the suspension, specific data remains elusive. The official notice did not provide a concrete number of births that were directly linked to travelers entering through the EVS-TAP program. Without these figures, it remains difficult to quantify the exact impact the program had on local healthcare resources .
Furthermore, the long-term impact of the suspension remains to be seen as the DHS evaluates the policy alongside the secretaries of state and the interior. It is currently unclear whether the suspension will lead to a total cessation of Chinese travel to the region or if travelers will simply pivot to more rigorous, traditional visa applications.
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