The Trump administration is suspending a visa-waiver program that allowed Chinese nationals to visit the US island territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, following Republican concerns that the policy could enable birth tourism and create national security vulnerabilities.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is ending a Biden-era arrangement under which prescreened Chinese travelers could enter the Northern Mariana Islands for stays of up to 14 days without obtaining a visa.
In a notice announcing the move, the Department of Homeland Security cited concerns over birth tourism, espionage and unauthorized onward travel to nearby Guam, a strategically important US military hub.
The action follows an April request from Republican senators Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, John Cornyn of Texas and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who urged Mullin to terminate the program over its alleged national security risks and potential to encourage birth tourism.
Lee praised the suspension in a post on X.
“America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship,” Lee wrote, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. “Thank you, President Trump!”
The office of Rep. Chip Roy, Republican of Texas, also welcomed the decision, saying Roy and Rep. Tom Tiffany, Republican of Wisconsin, had voiced concerns about the program in March.
“Rep. Roy is pleased to hear the Trump Admin closed this dangerous loophole,” his office wrote on X.
Birth tourism refers to traveling to the United States primarily to give birth, with the aim of securing US citizenship for the child. Some travelers have concealed that purpose during the visa application process.
The program was established in 2024 and became operational the following year. According to DHS, more than 3,000 Chinese nationals used it to enter the Northern Mariana Islands during fiscal year 2025.
Although Customs and Border Protection screened the travelers, they were not required to secure visas through a US consulate, DHS said.
The suspension will take effect at 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 30 and cover both new applicants and travelers who have already received approval.
People already in the territory under the program may complete their authorized stays. However, they will need a visa for future visits unless they qualify under another lawful exception.
DHS said the suspension will remain in effect while it reviews the program in consultation with the secretaries of state and the interior.
The department warned that the arrangement could make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel to the territory to give birth.
“While birth tourism has long been an issue in the CNMI, the availability of visa-exempt travel and reduced vetting under EVS-TAP may lower barriers to this practice,” the notice says.
DHS also said birth tourism can strain the islands’ medical system. The notice did not provide a number of births linked to travelers who entered through the program, formally known as the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program.
The department warned that visa-free travel could be exploited for intelligence gathering near USAlthough the program did not permit visitors to travel to Guam or the US.mainland, DHS cited previous cases involving Chinese nationals smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam.
Those cases involved earlier travel policies or other streamlined arrangements, but DHS said they showed a vulnerability that the newer program had not eliminated.
The suspension comes as the Trump administration pursues a broader crackdown on birth tourism. A State Department task force launched Aug. 12 had revoked more than 750 visas tied to suspected birth tourism activity as of late August, the department previously told Fox News Digital.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital that officials were working with international partners and law enforcement to identify travel patterns that could point to birth tourism networks.
Pigott said some networks help visitors conceal the purpose of their trips and then coach them on how to avoid paying medical bills.
The Northern Mariana Islands program is separate from the visitor visa process targeted by those revocations. military facilities. The Northern Mariana Islands are home to Tinian Air Base, while Guam hosts several military installations.