The Trump administration has suspended what it says was a loophole used by Chinese citizens for birth tourism and possibly even espionage in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program was created under the Biden administration by a Department of Homeland Security rule published in January 2024, easing visa restrictions for Chinese people in order to encourage tourism to the U.S. territory.
‘We are ready to work with our federal partners on solutions that protect both our national security and the economic future of the people of the Marianas.’
Under the new rule implemented in Feb. 2025, prescreened Chinese nationals could visit the islands for up to two weeks without having to obtain a U.S. consular visa.
The Department of Homeland Security indicated
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