DHS Suspends 14-Day Visa-Free CNMI Entry for Chinese Nationals Over 3,000-Visitor Security Risks
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 27
DHS Suspends 14-Day Visa-Free CNMI Entry for Chinese Nationals Over 3,000-Visitor Security Risks
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 27
Summary
Oct. 30 marks the suspension of a Biden-era program that let prescreened Chinese nationals visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without a visa; approved travelers already there may finish their stays.
More than 3,000 Chinese nationals used the program in fiscal 2025, and DHS said the lighter vetting could facilitate birth tourism, espionage and illegal onward travel to nearby Guam.
Guam’s military role figured heavily in the decision: DHS cited past boat-smuggling cases from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam and warned visa-free access could aid intelligence gathering near U.S. bases.
Republican lawmakers had pushed for the move since March and April, while DHS said the suspension will stay in place as it reviews the program with the State and Interior departments.
The action fits a broader Trump administration crackdown on birth tourism; a State Department task force had revoked more than 750 visas tied to suspected cases by late August.