SAIPAN — Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika Taijeron is urging federal policymakers to preserve the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program while continuing to strengthen safeguards, following a Jan. 15, 2026 letter in which U.S. Sens. Rick Scott, Jim Banks, and Markwayne Mullin asked the Department of Homeland Security to revoke the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) and require Chinese nationals to obtain standard tourist visas to visit the CNMI. The senators also urged ending Hong Kong’s participation in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, citing birth tourism and security concerns.
In her statement, Taijeron said the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program has been a lawful cornerstone of Marianas economic stability and regional engagement, directly supporting lawful tourism, small business viability, and employment for U.S. citizens and residents.
Taijeron said the program operates within a framework of federal oversight and local compliance, and said the Marianas has consistently cooperated with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to strengthen screening, enforcement, and information sharing.
She also said some of the data cited in the senators’ letter “no longer reflects improvements” made in cooperation with federal agencies.
Taijeron argued that preserving the visa waiver program advances U.S. strategic, economic, and diplomatic interests in the Pacific, and sustains a lawful tourism market that the Marianas relies upon to fund public services and infrastructure.
Taijeron said policy deliberations should fully consider the Marianas’ unique circumstances, proven compliance efforts, and the severe economic consequences that termination would entail for a U.S. community working toward recovery and long-term resilience.
Read the full statement below:
The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program has been a lawful cornerstone of Marianas economic stability and regional engagement, directly supporting lawful tourism, small business viability, and employment for U.S. citizens and residents.
The program operates within a framework of federal oversight and local compliance, and has consistently cooperated with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to strengthen screening, enforcement, and information sharing. Some of the data cited in the recent letter from U.S. Senators to DHS and Dept. of Interior no longer reflects improvements made in cooperation with federal agencies. Preserving the visa waiver program while continuing to enhance safeguards advances U.S. strategic, economic, and diplomatic interests in the Pacific and sustains a lawful tourism market that the Marianas relies upon to fund public services and infrastructure. Policy deliberations must fully consider the Marianas’ unique circumstances, proven compliance efforts, and the severe economic consequences that termination would entail for a U.S. community striving for recovery and long-term resilience.
