EVS-TAP and Recent Senate Letters

You may have seen reports about a group of senators calling on the Department of Homeland Security to end the EVS-TAP program in the CNMI. I want you to know that I am paying very close attention to this and do not believe changes to EVS-TAP are warranted based on the facts on the ground. Since one of the major drivers of this topic is birth tourism, you should all be aware that births from tourists of all nationalities have declined significantly since reforms made during the first Trump administration, and today resident and nonresident births outnumber tourist births by roughly nine to one. Regular tourism remains the backbone of our economy and recovery is still fragile. EVS-TAP was created to give the CNMI access to key visitor markets and help stabilize local businesses and government revenues. When people look around the islands and wonder why things feel harder, part of the answer is simple. We do not have enough customers. Abruptly pulling back lawful travel programs that bring these customers to our islands would have real consequences for families and workers here at home. I intend to make the case for our economic recovery clearly and forcefully to those who need to hear it, and to keep pushing for decisions that reflect the realities of life here at home.