By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Thursday wrote to U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Mike Lee, reiterating his written testimony emphasizing the importance of the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program to the CNMI’s economic recovery.
The governor said he was unable to attend last week’s committee hearing on the state of U.S. territories due to his presence in the Commonwealth’s recovery efforts. He instead sent his chief of staff, Henry S. Hofschneider, to convey the NMI government’s position on EVS-TAP.
However, Hofschneider was unable to read the governor’s full written testimony due to limited time allotted for each witness. During questioning, there was also some ambiguity in Hofschneider’s response to Lee’s inquiry regarding EVS-TAP and the visa waiver program for citizens of China. The governor said his chief of staff intended to convey the Commonwealth’s support for the program.
In his letter to Lee, Apatang apologized for his absence and clarified the CNMI government’s position on EVS-TAP.
He said EVS-TAP is critical to the CNMI’s economic recovery and that the government “does not support any action that would eliminate or materially weaken the program without a workable replacement that protects both federal security interests and the CNMI economy.”
“To the extent any oral testimony at the hearing created a different impression, I respectfully wish to correct the record,” Apatang wrote.
“The CNMI continues to need a controlled, lawful, and federally managed pathway for eligible visitors from key markets. EVS-TAP is one such pathway. It preserves federal screening and admission authority while allowing the Commonwealth to rebuild visitor arrivals, air service, hotel activity, employment, and public revenues.”
He said the CNMI contributes to the national economy primarily through tourism, its principal export industry.
“As the United States works to expand exports and economic engagement in the Asia-Pacific, the Commonwealth seeks the same opportunity, while fully recognizing the need for safeguards that protect our country, preserve federal control over admission and screening, and reflect the CNMI’s unique and difficult economic position,” he said.
Apatang said EVS-TAP is “central to that balance,” adding that the Commonwealth does not view it as a loophole or a luxury.
The governor also said the CNMI government views EVS-TAP “as a necessary federal tool that can help sustain a U.S. community in the Western Pacific while protecting the security interests of the United States.”
Since its first full year of implementation in 2025, he said, EVS-TAP has proven to be an effective federal mechanism for balancing the CNMI’s economic needs with U.S. security requirements. He said the program reflects efforts begun during the Trump administration, when federal officials worked with the CNMI to replace discretionary parole with a more structured and federally managed travel authorization system.
He said EVS-TAP should be preserved and strengthened so the CNMI can continue rebuilding lawful tourism while federal agencies maintain full authority over screening, vetting, and admission.
Apatang said the program remains essential to the CNMI’s economic viability, helping reduce fiscal pressure and prevent a deeper economic crisis that would burden both the Commonwealth and the federal government.
He reiterated the CNMI’s position that EVS-TAP should be preserved, strengthened, and integrated into broader efforts to restore tourism, rebuild air service, stabilize public revenues, and avoid government insolvency.
He also emphasized that the Commonwealth welcomes continued oversight and engagement from Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other federal partners.
“The CNMI is prepared to work constructively with the Committee and the Administration on any improvements that may be needed to ensure that EVS-TAP meets federal security standards while supporting lawful travel to the Commonwealth,” he said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
