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[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, China · 12 sources

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DHS suspends EVS-TAP visa-free travel for Chinese nationals

EVS-TAP Department of Homeland Security Northern Mariana Islands birth tourism Chinese nationals

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), which allowed pre-screened Chinese nationals to visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without a visa. The suspension is scheduled to take effect at 2 p.m. ET on October 30.

DHS cited several national security and law enforcement risks as the basis for the decision, including concerns that the program could facilitate espionage near sensitive U.S. military infrastructure, encourage birth tourism, and enable illegal travel from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam. The department noted that EVS-TAP travelers were screened by Customs and Border Protection rather than State Department consular officers, a process deemed insufficient for the growing risks.

The decision follows warnings from Republican senators, including Mike Lee, Rick Scott, John Cornyn, and Bill Cassidy, who urged the department to close the program earlier this year. The suspension applies to both new applicants and previously approved travelers. Chinese nationals currently in the territory under the program may complete their authorized stays but will require visas for future visits.

Entities

Department of Homeland Security · Guam · Markwayne Mullin · Mike Lee · Northern Mariana Islands · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

DHS suspends travel program for Chinese nationals amid birth tourism concerns [offthepress.com]
DHS Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Visitors to Northern Mariana Islands | CDN [conservativedailynews.com]
Съединените щати спират безвизовото пътуване на китайски граждани до Северните [novini247.com]
Chinese tourists lose visa-free entry to Saipan and the Northern Marianas on October 30. The flights may follow [astig.ph]
美暫停中國公民赴北馬里亞納免簽計劃 [www.epochtimes.com]
САЩ спират безвизовото пътуване на китайци до Марианите [fakti.bg]
World News | US Suspends Visa-free Travel Programme for Chinese Nationals to Northern Mariana Islands [www.latestly.com]
US ends visa waiver for Chinese over birth tourism, people smuggling allegations - The Korea Times [www.koreatimes.co.kr]
US Suspends Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Nationals to Mariana Islands [newsable.asianetnews.com]
DHS Suspends Visa-Free Travel Program for Chinese Visitors to Northern Mariana Islands [www.ntd.com]
US suspends visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to Northern Mariana Islands, citing espionage, birth tourism [www.socialnews.xyz]
DHS suspends visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals amid birth tourism, security concerns [nypost.com]