Senators Mike Lee, Rick Scott, John Cornyn, and Bill Cassidy called on April 22 for the Biden administration to terminate a visa policy that allows citizens of the People’s Republic of China to enter the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa.
The senators said this policy could pose risks to national security and may encourage illegal activities. The program in question is the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), which was created in 2024 as part of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. It permits Chinese nationals to visit the CNMI for up to 14 days without obtaining a visa or going through a formal admission process.
In their letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the senators raised several concerns about EVS-TAP. They pointed out that Chinese nationals have been convicted of trafficking methamphetamines into the CNMI. The letter also mentioned that birth tourism has occurred under this policy and noted worries about individuals entering CNMI being close to Guam, which is described as an important U.S. military hub.
The senators referenced reports indicating illegal transport of Chinese nationals from CNMI to Guam and stated that actors linked with China have targeted critical infrastructure in Guam, including its power grid. In their letter they wrote: “We strongly urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to end the CNMI Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program – a benefit that should not be afforded to a recalcitrant country like Communist China. We further encourage, in alignment with previous Congressional requests, the termination of Hong Kong’s participation in the broader G-CNMI visa waiver program.”
The issue highlights ongoing concerns over border security and foreign access near sensitive military sites.
