DHS suspends visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals amid birth tourism, security concerns
The Trump administration is suspending a visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals visiting a U.S. island territory after Republican lawmakers warned it could facilitate birth tourism and pose national security risks.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s decision targets a Biden-era program that allowed prescreened Chinese nationals to visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without a visa.
In a notice announcing the decision, the Department of Homeland Security cited concerns that the program could facilitate birth tourism, espionage and illegal onward travel to nearby Guam, a key hub for the U.S. military.
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The decision comes after senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rick Scott, R-Fla., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., urged Mullin in April to end the program, warning that it encouraged birth tourism and posed national security risks.
Lee celebrated the decision in a post on X.
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"America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship," Lee wrote, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. "Thank you, President Trump!"
Rep. Chip Roy’s press office also welcomed the move, saying the Texas Republican and Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., had raised concerns about the program in March.
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"Rep. Roy is pleased to hear the Trump Admin closed this dangerous loophole," his office wrote on X.
Birth tourism is when someone travels to the United States primarily to give birth so their child can become an American citizen. Some travelers have hidden the purpose of their trip when applying for a visa.
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The program at issue was created in 2024 and took effect the following year. More than 3,000 Chinese nationals used it to enter the Northern Mariana Islands in fiscal year 2025, based on to DHS.
Those travelers were screened by Customs and Border Protection, but did not have to obtain a visa through a U.S. consulate, the department said.
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The suspension is set to take effect at 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 30 and will apply to both new applicants and travelers who have already been approved. Those already in the territory under the program may finish their authorized stays but will need a visa for future visits unless another lawful exception applies.
DHS said the suspension will remain in place while the department evaluates the program with the secretaries of state and the interior.
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The department warned that the program could make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel to the territory to give birth.
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