The Trump administration has decided to suspend a visa-free travel scheme for Chinese nationals visiting the Northern Mariana Islands, following concerns from Republican lawmakers about the potential for facilitating birth tourism and posing national security threats.
This decision, made by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, targets a program initiated during the Biden administration that allowed pre-approved Chinese visitors to stay in the islands for up to 14 days without needing a visa.
In its announcement, the Department of Homeland Security expressed worries that the program might lead to increased birth tourism, espionage, and illegal travel to Guam, which is a significant military hub for the US.
The initiative’s suspension comes after several senators, including Mike Lee from Utah, Rick Scott from Florida, John Cornyn from Texas, and Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, urged Mullin back in April to terminate the program, citing its links to birth tourism and potential security risks.
Lee took to social media to express his satisfaction with the decision, stating, “America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship,” referring to the Chinese Communist Party. “Thank you, President Trump!” he added.
Rep. Chip Roy’s office also reacted positively to the suspension. It noted that both he and Rep. Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin had raised concerns about the program earlier in March, emphasizing the closure of what they regarded as a dangerous loophole.
Birth tourism refers to the practice where individuals travel to the US, mainly to give birth, so that their child can become an American citizen. Some have reportedly downplayed the real purpose of their trips when applying for visas.
This specific program was established in 2024 and became active the next year. According to DHS, over 3,000 Chinese nationals utilized it to enter the Northern Mariana Islands during the fiscal year 2025.
Although these travelers were subjected to screening by Customs and Border Protection, they did not need a consular visa to enter.
The suspension will go into effect at 2 p.m. EDT on October 30 and will affect both new applications and those who have already received approval. Travelers currently in the territory under this program can complete their stays but will be required to obtain a visa for any future visits unless another lawful exception applies.
While the review process is underway, the DHS indicated that the suspension will stay in place. They highlighted that this program could inadvertently make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel to the territory for childbirth.
The notice suggested that while birth tourism has been a concern in the CNMI, the availability of visa-exempt travel and lighter vetting through the program may lower the barriers for such practices.
DHS also pointed out that birth tourism could put pressure on the medical facilities in the islands, but did not specify how many births were connected to arrivals via this program, which is formally named the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program.
The department alerted that allowing visa-free travel might be exploited for intelligence purposes. Although the program did not allow visitors to go to Guam or the mainland US, there have been past instances of Chinese nationals being smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam.
These incidents were linked to previous travel policies or other simplified arrangements but highlighted vulnerabilities that the newer program hadn’t addressed.
This suspension aligns with a larger initiative by the Trump administration to crack down on birth tourism. A State Department task force initiated in August had already revoked over 750 visas associated with suspected birth tourism activities as of late August, as reported earlier.
According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, efforts are ongoing with international partners and law enforcement to track travel patterns that might indicate birth tourism networks, with some networks reportedly assisting visitors in hiding their trip’s purpose and advising them on avoiding medical expenses.
It’s worth noting that the Northern Mariana Islands’ program is distinct from the visitor visa protocols involved in those visa revocations, even as military installations nearby, including Tinian Air Base, play a crucial role in the strategic landscape.
