By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
& Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program or EVS-TAP was created to strengthen border security while supporting the CNMI’s economy, according to the islands’ delegate to the U.S. Congress, Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
In a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, King-Hinds emphasized that EVS-TAP provides a controlled, pre-screened framework for visitors, addressing past security vulnerabilities while maintaining the tourism-dependent economy of the CNMI.
“EVS-TAP reflects the determination that border security and economic stability in the CNMI can be advanced together,” King-Hinds wrote, citing the program’s origin in a 2019 Section 902 consultation during the Trump administration. The program was recommended as a replacement for discretionary parole for Chinese tourists, which had raised concerns related to birth tourism and other security issues. Implementation of EVS-TAP was delayed and finalized in late 2024 under the Biden administration.
King-Hinds noted that criminal cases cited in previous congressional correspondence involved visitors who entered under the interim parole system, not under EVS-TAP, and said it is inaccurate to attribute parole-era incidents to the program.
The CNMI relies heavily on tourism to sustain air service, hotel operations, employment, and public services such as healthcare and law enforcement, she said. EVS-TAP allows visitors from China, who historically made up a significant portion of arrivals, to enter the Commonwealth safely, ensuring sufficient volume to maintain economic and institutional capacity, she added.
“Visitors from China historically provided a significant share of baseline volume. EVS-TAP preserves access to that market through a limited, controlled, and pre-screened entry framework that supports the economic scale required for the CNMI to operate as a functioning community,” King-Hinds wrote. She added that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation has recognized that EVS-TAP strengthens security while supporting local economic and social systems.
The letter also highlighted the CNMI’s proactive steps to address birth tourism. Following recommendations from the 2019 Section 902 consultations, the CNMI Legislature adopted a joint resolution to amend local law and exclude tourist births from birthright citizenship, pending congressional approval. Since EVS-TAP’s implementation, tourist births in the CNMI declined by 19% between 2024 and 2025, King-Hinds said.
She stressed the CNMI’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region, noting that the territory contributes to regional stability and U.S. national security. She emphasized that federal engagement and targeted support are essential to addressing any gaps in enforcement, oversight, or screening.
“The people of the CNMI are proud Americans. Our sons and daughters serve in uniform at some of the highest per capita rates in the nation,” King-Hinds wrote. “This responsibility requires a genuine partnership with the federal government to reinforce America’s Pacific frontier while preserving long-term economic and community sustainability.”
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.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
