Propst resolution supports EVS-TAP
Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) introduced yesterday a resolution to express support for the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, or EVS-TAP, and encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work with the CNMI Government and its leaders to facilitate the responsible promotion of the Chinese tourism market.
EVS-TAP will allow pre-screened national of the People’s Republic of China to travel to the CNMI without a visa under specific conditions and stay for up to 14 days.
Propst’s House Resolution 23-19 received strong support from the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Marianas Visitors Authority.
Propst, who is the House floor leader, said in an interview after the session that he is grateful to House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and colleagues for agreeing to this resolution.
“We see the strong support from basically all leaders and including our Delegate, Congressman [Gregorio] Kilili Sablan,” he said.
Propst said Chamber president Joe Guerrero, HANMI chair Dennis Seo, and Marianas Visitors Authority board chair Gloria Cavanagh spoke during the session’s public comments portion to support this resolution.
“So we hope that that the EVS-TAP gets implemented very soon and we move quickly on it because, as we heard earlier, our hotels are suffering,” Propst said. He quoted Seo as saying that, even the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, which is comparatively doing well, has an average hotel occupancy of only about 40%, which is still very low. He said Seo also mentioned that some hotels are operating at 10% occupancy.
“So it’s deeply concerning. The hotels cannot continue to operate like this,” said Propst, adding that their biggest worry is the repercussions on an already hurting economy if these hotels close down.
“We are hoping to have everybody on board, move quickly on this, embrace diversity in the CNMI’s tourism, and do the best we can,” he added.
He underscored the need for hotel rooms to be occupied in order to generate revenues for the CNMI government, like the hotel occupancy tax, among others.
Last Jan. 18, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an interim final ruling that established the EVS-TAP, with an effective date of September 2024.
Propst stated in the resolution that the EVS-TAP will require persons intending to travel from China to the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to submit Form I-736 electronically and in advance of travel. These visitors will then receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding—as opposed to presenting the form upon arrival, thereby providing both the visitor and DHS adequate notice and time to resolve any security issues before embarkation and departure.
Propst said the EVS-TAP will establish an automated process that will increase national security and shorten wait times for travelers, which could lead to overall traveler satisfaction.
In addition, he said “the change would also save U.S. Customs and Border Protection time and money and allow CBP officers to spend more time focusing on a traveler’s purpose for visiting the territories rather than on processing forms, data entry and hard copy storage.”
Propst said the interim final ruling expressly provides that the current parole policy for PRC nationals seeking to enter the CNMI will be discontinued after the EVS-TAP is fully implemented and announced in the Federal Register.
He said the EVS-TAP is supported by Sablan, the Chamber, HANMI, MVA, and other CNMI lawmakers because it addresses the national concerns raised by members of the U.S. Congress that called for the abolition of the discretionary parole program while also providing a viable and reasonable way for properly vetted individuals from China to visit the Commonwealth where they provide a significant economic benefit to the economy.
EVS-TAP
