DHS Revokes China's Visa-Free Access to U.S. Territory

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has announced the Trump Administration is suspending the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective October 30. This program allows visa-free travel for certain nationals from China temporarily visiting the Northern Marianas, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean.

“The Trump Administration’s commonsense decision to close this loophole will make our country more secure and stop China from exploiting U.S. freedoms. Giving our top adversary visa-free access to American territory exposed U.S. national security to undue risks, and now that privilege is coming to an end,” said Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China. “CCP-linked entities used this loophole to commit crimes and abuses including illegal labor, drug trafficking, and birth tourism. Now, the Northern Marianas, Guam, and the entire U.S. will be safer with a stronger system for admitting visitors that the CCP cannot exploit.”

In 2023, Moolenaar signed a letter with other members of Congress to then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas drawing attention to the dangers of this loophole. The members wrote that the policy created problems including, “drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and organized crime” in the Marianas. The members called for the implementation of a requirement to obtain a B-1/B-2 visa to enter the Northern Marianas from China.