The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially suspended the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorisation Programme. This program previously allowed Chinese visitors to enter the U.S. territory without a traditional visa. The decision follows growing federal scrutiny regarding the use of the islands for "birth tourism," a practice where foreign nationals travel to U.S. soil to give birth, thereby granting their children automatic U.S. citizenship.

Beyond birth tourism, the DHS cited concerns over people smuggling as a factor in the suspension. The move marks a significant shift in the immigration policy governing the territory, which has historically relied on the visa-waiver program to bolster its tourism-dependent economy. While the DHS framed the decision as a necessary security measure, the policy change has received support from political figures who have long criticized the program. For instance, U.S. Senator Mike Lee publicly endorsed the suspension, characterizing the previous policy as a "Biden-era loophole." The suspension effectively ends the streamlined entry process for Chinese citizens, requiring them to obtain standard visas for future travel to the islands.