House Republicans are demanding the Trump administration clarify if China is misusing U.S. birthright citizenship and visa programs, particularly in a U.S. territory, to gain long-term influence in America. A letter was sent Monday to outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Representatives Chip Roy of Texas, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, and 32 other GOP members raised urgent concerns over practices often referred to as “birth tourism” and visa-waiver policies in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. They contend that these practices create national security threats linked to foreign adversaries.
“American citizenship is a sacred trust — not a loophole to be exploited,” Roy stated emphatically, underscoring the need to uphold the integrity of the immigration system. His remarks signal a clear response to perceived vulnerabilities in current policies that could be manipulated by foreign governments. Tiffany added that “Communist China has exploited ‘birth tourism’ by sending women to the Northern Mariana Islands solely to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their children.” The urgency behind the letter reflects longstanding fears of countries like China using loopholes to infiltrate America.
The Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory, grant citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment, similar to any U.S. state. However, it operates under distinct immigration regulations. Roy and Tiffany noted estimates claiming between 750,000 and 1.5 million Chinese nationals have gained U.S. citizenship through these birthright policies. This number remains unverified by federal agencies, highlighting a lack of transparency in immigration records.
In their letter, the concerned lawmakers seek data from the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Interior on children born to at least one Chinese national parent since 2009. They request information on how many of these children have reached voting age and how many are registered to vote. Furthermore, they inquire whether any of these individuals have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
The concern over birth tourism has intensified recently, particularly with federal prosecutions against operators of businesses facilitating this practice, especially in California. These businesses faced charges of visa fraud, demonstrating the lengths to which some will go to exploit U.S. immigration policy.
The Northern Mariana Islands’ immigration framework was notably altered in 2009 under the Obama administration with a categorical parole program allowing select Chinese nationals to enter without traditional U.S. tourist visas. The Biden administration reinforced this with a rule creating the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) for the islands, permitting specific Chinese nationals visa-free entry for short stays. Roy and Tiffany assert these policies incentivized birth tourism in Saipan, pointing to a significant increase in births to foreign visitors post-2009.
Moreover, an alarming potential consequence of these policies comes into focus: U.S.-born children turning 21 can petition for lawful permanent resident status for their parents, which could further expand immigration pathways. Although the letter raises concerns about these individuals being able to vote, it does not provide concrete evidence of widespread registration or an organized strategy by the Chinese government behind birth tourism.
As tensions escalate between the United States and China, with growing worries about Chinese influence and espionage activities, the urgency of this inquiry becomes more apparent. Roy and Tiffany insist on an end to any parole or visa-waiver programs for Chinese nationals in the Northern Mariana Islands and demand a comprehensive overview of the scope of birth tourism involving Chinese nationals. As of now, there has been no response from the Departments of Homeland Security and Interior regarding these alarming requests. The Chinese embassy was also unavailable for comment, leaving a veil of uncertainty hanging over this pressing issue.
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