HANMI, Chamber, King-Hinds, Galvin welcome Senate move blocking bid to fast-track EVS-TAP repeal

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, and independent delegate candidate Galvin Deleon Guerrero all welcomed a move in the U.S. Senate that prevented legislation seeking to eliminate the Commonwealth's Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, or EVS-TAP, from being approved by unanimous consent, arguing that the program remains vital to the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy while maintaining federal security screening.

HANMI said it continues to support EVS-TAP, describing it as a program that allows eligible travelers from the People's Republic of China to visit the CNMI only after undergoing strict U.S. Department of Homeland Security screening and oversight.

"The CNMI's economy—and, by extension, U.S. national security in the Western Pacific—depends on a strong, stable tourism industry," HANMI said.

The hotel group said EVS-TAP reflects the balance Congress intended when it federalized CNMI immigration, adding that eliminating the program "would undermine both congressional intent and the CNMI's ongoing economic recovery."

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce likewise opposed Sen. Rick Scott's One Nation, One Visa Policy Act, saying abolishing EVS-TAP would create another obstacle for businesses already struggling with reduced air service, rising operating costs and years of declining visitor arrivals.

"EVS-TAP is not an open-door policy," the chamber said, noting that the program requires advance electronic screening, restricts travelers to the CNMI and limits admission to 14 days.

The Chamber also argued that current data no longer support concerns over birth tourism by visitors from China, saying the issue has declined dramatically over the past several years.

"The appropriate response is targeted screening and enforcement based on actual risk, precisely the type of safeguard EVS-TAP was designed to strengthen," the Chamber said.

The organization thanked Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico for objecting to Scott's request for unanimous consent, saying his action ensured the Commonwealth's interests were represented despite the CNMI having no voting member in the Senate.

Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said the Senate debate reinforced her longstanding position that protecting national security and protecting the CNMI economy are not mutually exclusive.

"Today's Senate floor action underscores exactly what I've been saying from the beginning: this issue is not a choice between national security and our economy. We have an obligation to protect both," King-Hinds said.

She said she appreciated Heinrich's recognition that any decision affecting the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program should consider its economic impact on the islands.

King-Hinds also acknowledged that Scott had raised national security concerns but said ending EVS-TAP outright was not the answer.

"I've consistently said there is a better path forward. We can strengthen vetting, close loopholes, and implement additional guardrails that protect our national security while preserving the economic lifeline," she said.

Independent delegate candidate Galvin Deleon Guerrero criticized King-Hinds' influence within her own party while praising Heinrich's intervention.

"It concerns me that our Republican Delegate has failed to exert influence on her Republican colleagues to protect our Commonwealth from harmful moves like this," Deleon Guerrero said.

He added, "I commend Senator Martin Heinrich for going to bat for the CNMI."

The reactions came after Scott sought unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass his One Nation, One Visa Policy Act, which would end visa-free travel for Chinese nationals to the CNMI under EVS-TAP.

Scott said the legislation was intended to address national security and birth tourism concerns involving the Commonwealth.

Heinrich objected, saying the proposal would "needlessly punish the Northern Mariana Islands" and further harm the Commonwealth's tourism economy.

He said the existing EVS-TAP program already requires Department of Homeland Security screening and cited figures showing visitation from China had fallen from more than 185,000 visitors annually to just 18 visitors in 2026.

"The Northern Mariana Islands do not have a voice in the Senate," Heinrich said. "And that is why I am objecting today in support of our partner in the Pacific."

Following the objection, Scott acknowledged the Commonwealth's economic concerns while reiterating his national security arguments.

"We don't want to do anything that absolutely hurts the economy of the CNMI," Scott said. "But at the same time, we got to figure this out to make sure that we can't have birth tourism."

Because Heinrich objected, Scott's request for unanimous consent was denied, preventing the bill from advancing under that expedited procedure.