Senate OKs EVS-TAP resolution

The Senate adopted yesterday a resolution to request Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to advocate for the increased security of the tourism industry, while promoting economic recovery, through the promulgation of the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program for Chinese tourists.

Speaking during yesterday’s Senate session, Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), who is the author of Senate Joint Resolution 23-07, thanked for the meeting Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero’s (D-Saipan) called last week, when they heard from officials of the Hotel Association of the NMI, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and the Society for Human Resources Management.

At that meeting, business community representatives talked about the challenges their members are having and other issues the CNMI is facing with the economy.

Hofschneider said he believes those who participated in the discussion support their joint resolution’s request and will continue working to revive the tourism industry and the CNMI’s economy recovery.

“This is one component of that effort to hopefully rebound…our economy here. And this is something that is critical at this juncture,” he said.

In a recent joint letter addressed to CNMI leaders, HANMI and the Chamber urged the CNMI government to back the proposed EVS-TAP, as this, according to the groups, will address the concerns about the discretionary parole program.

The proposed EVS-TAP will allow prescreened People’s Republic of China nationals to travel to the CNMI without a visa under specific conditions.

EVS-TAP was one of the recommendations of 902 Consultation special representatives in their report dated May 15, 2019 to then-president Donald Trump.

Four U.S. senators and 28 U.S. House members signed a letter dated Nov. 30, 2023, requesting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to revoke the discretionary parole program that allows it to let Chinese tourists enter the CNMI without a tourist visa.