Context:

GOP lawmakers press the Trump administration for answers on whether China exploits U.S. birthright citizenship and Northern Mariana Islands visa policies to gain long-term influence, as concerns about national security and immigration integrity rise. They point to birth tourism and a 2009 parole program plus a 2024 EVS-TAP rule enabling visa-free access for certain Chinese nationals, arguing these policies create incentives for births in Saipan. While lawmakers cite broad estimates of Chinese-born U.S. citizens, they acknowledge no proof of large-scale election participation or direct CCP coordination. The inquiry comes amid high-level U.S.–China tensions and calls to curb parole or visa-waiver access. No immediate comment was provided by DHS or Interior, and the State Department redirected to DHS.

Dive Deeper:

• In a letter to outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Rep. Chip Roy and Rep. Tom Tiffany, along with 32 colleagues, raised concerns that birth tourism and Northern Mariana Islands visa-waiver policies could be exploited by Chinese nationals to influence U.S. governance, asking for data on birth occurrences since 2009 and related voting metrics.

• The letter asserts that American citizenship at birth could be used strategically by foreign actors and emphasizes the need to assess whether Chinese nationals linked to the CCP have entered or registered to vote, requesting entry figures under Northern Mariana-specific programs and any documented ties to the CCP.

• Policy history cited includes a 2009 Obama-era parole program for certain Chinese nationals and the 2024 Biden-era EVS-TAP rule, which allows short, visa-free visits for some Chinese travelers to the Northern Mariana Islands, drawing scrutiny from Republicans who want these programs ended.

• Lawmakers argued that changes to Mariana Island immigration rules potentially encouraged births by foreign visitors in Saipan after 2009, and warned that U.S.-born children could later sponsor relatives, possibly expanding legal immigration pathways for parents.

• The letter notes federal prosecutions in California of birth-tourism operators for visa fraud and conspiracy, illustrating ongoing enforcement against misrepresentation of travel intent to obtain U.S. birthright benefits.

• Officials from the Departments of Homeland Security and Interior did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment, and the State Department deferred to DHS for clarification.

• The broader backdrop is heightened U.S.–China tensions over influence operations, technology, and espionage, with Republicans urging policy reversals to curtail any parole or visa-waiver access tied to Chinese nationals in the Northern Mariana Islands.