U.S. Suspends Visa-Free Program for Chinese Nationals in Northern Mariana Islands

The Trump administration has decided to halt a visa-free travel initiative for Chinese nationals intending to visit U.S. island territories. The decision followed warnings from Republican lawmakers about potential birth tourism and national security threats.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the suspension of a program created during Biden’s administration. This program allowed preapproved Chinese nationals to visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without obtaining a visa. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressed concern that this might facilitate birth tourism, espionage, and illegal travel to nearby Guam, which is important for U.S. military operations.

The U.S. territory of Guam is a target for Chinese migrants due to its closeness to the Northern Mariana Islands.

The decision came after Republican senators such as Mike Lee from Utah, Rick Scott from Florida, John Cornyn from Texas, and Bill Cassidy from Louisiana urged the program’s termination. They feared it fostered birth tourism and posed security risks.

Senator Mike Lee expressed approval of the decision on social media, asserting that the U.S. should not be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party for citizenship purposes. He thanked President Trump for the action. Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy’s office, along with Rep. Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin, also conveyed their support, having previously expressed concerns over the program.

Birth tourism applies when individuals travel to the U.S. primarily to give birth so that their child acquires U.S. citizenship. Some travelers have concealed their intentions when applying for visas.

The DHS program, introduced in 2024 and operational by 2025, recorded more than 3,000 Chinese nationals using the scheme to enter the Northern Mariana Islands. These individuals were screened by Customs and Border Protection but did not need to obtain a visa from a U.S. consulate.

The planned suspension is slated for 2 p.m. EDT on October 30. It affects both new applicants and those already approved. Current visitors using the program can complete their stay, but will need a visa for future visits unless eligible for another legal exemption. The DHS has stated that the suspension will persist while they assess the program with input from state and interior secretaries.

DHS also warned that the program could undermine efforts to prevent intelligence-gathering near U.S. military bases. Despite the program’s restrictions on traveling to Guam or the U.S. mainland, past cases have involved smuggling Chinese nationals via boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam.

The Trump administration is pursuing further actions against birth tourism. A State Department task force launched in August revoked over 750 visas associated with suspected birth tourism activities. Official collaborations with international partners and law enforcement aim to recognize travel patterns indicating birth tourism networks. These networks often help travelers conceal their trip’s purpose and avoid healthcare expenses.

The Northern Mariana Islands program is distinct from visitor visa processes scrutinized by recent visa revocations.