Texas congressman backs call to fix CNMI travel authorization delays

U.S. Congressman Troy E. Nehls, R-Texas, supports CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ request to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to address delays in processing electronic travel authorizations under the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program or EVS-TAP. Tourism in CNMI, still recovering from the pandemic restrictions, has been set back by these delays.

Nehls, who chairs the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation, was among the key House members with whom King-Hinds and members of the CNMI business community met recently in the nation's capital.

They also met with Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the Judiciary Committee; Congressman Roger Williams, R-Texas,  chairman of the Small Business Committee; and Congressman Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, who chairs the Natural Resources Committee.

King-Hinds said they explained that “delays in programs like EVS-TAP and visa processing are hurting our economy, and the federal government has a role to play in helping us recover.”

She added, “The only way forward is to keep showing up and speaking out — for our businesses, our workers, and our future.”

In his letter to Noem last week, Nehls noted EVS-TAP’s “critical role in sustaining the tourism industry in the CNMI.”

He said the program was developed under the administration of President Donald Trump in 2019 “as replacement for discretionary parole in the CNMI tourism sector.”

Designed to promote both enhanced immigration screening and resilient economic growth, EVS-TAP “is critical to ensuring that the CNMI can maintain economic viability,” Nehls told Noem.

He said the reports received by King-Hinds’ office indicated that many ETA applications remain in prolonged pending status well beyond the published five-day processing period.

“The CNMI’s economy is still struggling to recover from Covid-19 and depends almost entirely on international tourism. Even minor disruptions to the industry can have cascading negative economic consequences,” Nehls said.

For these reasons, he told Noem, “I join Representative King-Hinds in asking for your consideration in ensuring [that] the processing of ETAs resumes on a predictable and timely basis.”

Due to the delay in the processing of ETAs for travelers, Hong Kong Airlines stopped its direct flights to Saipan from Hong Kong earlier this month.