Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said although Napolitano “can’t further delay the federalization law…she can allow the visa waiver program regulations to be changed. DHS can decide to allow Russian and Chinese tourists” to enter Guam and the Northern Marianas visa-free.
Fitial left the island more than a week ago to attend a Labor-Day event in Los Angeles. From there, he proceeded to the nation’s capital for the scheduled Sept. 22 meeting with Napolitano.
CNMI Congressman Gregorio Sablan, Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo and West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall, the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, have jointly written Napolitano, asking for a joint meeting to discuss the CNMI federalization law.
“We know that they were very supportive of the China and Russia visa waiver program. They seem to be very receptive to the idea,” said Reyes, referring to the U.S. lawmakers.
The interim final regulations on the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program were already published in the Federal Register.
DHS said there are security and law enforcement concerns that prevented it from including Russian and China in the visa waiver program.
Fitial said Russia and China are important markets for the local tourism industry, particularly on Tinian, which charters flights to key Chinese cities.
About 70 percent of tourists visiting Tinian are from China.
