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DHS suspends visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals amid birth tourism, security concerns

DHS suspends visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals amid birth tourism, security concerns

The Trump administration is suspending a visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals visiting a U.S. island territory after Republican lawmakers warned it could facilitate birth tourism and pose national security risks. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s decision targets a Biden-era program that allowed prescreened Chinese nationals to visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days without a visa. In a notice announcing the decision, the Department of Homeland Security cited concerns that the program could facilitate birth tourism, espionage and illegal onward travel to nearby Guam, a key hub for the U.S. military. BIRTH TOURISM FIGHT SHIFTS TO US ‘TROPICAL MATERNITY WARD’ WITH HISTORY OF CHINESE EXPLOITATION The decision comes after senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rick Scott, R-Fla., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., urged Mullin in April to end the program, warning that it encouraged birth tourism and posed national security risks. Lee celebrated the decision in a post on X. BIRTH TOURISM CRACKDOWN EXPANDS AS HOUSE CHAIRMAN RAISES CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY CASE “America is not a nursery for the CCP to steal citizenship,” Lee wrote, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. “Thank you, President Trump!” Rep. Chip Roy’s press office also welcomed the move, saying the Texas Republican and Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., had raised concerns about the program in March. GOP FIREBRAND TARGETS BOOMING BUSINESS LETTING FOREIGNERS EXPLOIT US CITIZENSHIP LAWS “Rep. Roy is pleased to hear the Trump Admin closed this dangerous loophole,” his office wrote on X. Birth tourism is when someone travels to the United States primarily to give birth so their child can become an American citizen. Some travelers have hidden the purpose of their trip when applying for a visa. FIRST ON FOX: RUBIO RAMPS UP BIRTH TOURISM CRACKDOWN HOURS BEFORE XI TOUCHES DOWN IN US The program at issue was created in 2024 and took effect the following year. More than 3,000 Chinese nationals used it to enter the Northern Mariana Islands in fiscal year 2025, according to DHS. Those travelers were screened by Customs and Border Protection, but did not have to obtain a visa through a U.S. consulate, the department said. EXCLUSIVE: STATE DEPARTMENT REVOKES OVER 250,000 VISAS IN BROAD IMMIGRATION VETTING CRACKDOWN The suspension is set to take effect at 2 p.m. EDT on Oct. 30 and will apply to both new applicants and travelers who have already been approved. Those already in the territory under the program may finish their authorized stays but will need a visa for future visits unless another lawful exception applies. DHS said the suspension will remain in place while the department evaluates the program with the secretaries of state and the interior. BIRTH TOURISM COULD SOON CARRY A SEVERE NEW CONSEQUENCE FEW WOULD RISK: ‘EXISTENTIAL CRISIS’ The department warned that the program could make it easier for Chinese nationals to travel to the territory to give birth. “While birth tourism has long been an issue in the CNMI, the availability of visa-exempt travel and reduced vetting under EVS-TAP may lower barriers to this practice,” the notice says. HOUSE REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR YANKING STUDENT VISAS OF CHINESE NATIONALS DHS also said birth tourism can strain the islands’ medical system. The notice did not provide a number of births linked to travelers who entered through the program, formally known as the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program. The department warned that visa-free travel could be exploited for intelligence gathering near U.S. military facilities. The Northern Mariana Islands are home to Tinian Air Base, while Guam hosts several military installations. TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TARGETING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, BIRTH TOURISM AFTER SUPREME COURT SETBACK Although the program did not permit visitors to travel to Guam or the U.S. mainland, DHS cited previous cases involving Chinese nationals smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam. Those cases involved earlier travel policies or other streamlined arrangements, but DHS said they showed a vulnerability that the newer program had not eliminated. The suspension comes as the Trump administration pursues a broader crackdown on birth tourism. A State Department task force launched Aug. 12 had revoked more than 750 visas tied to suspected birth tourism activity as of late August, the department previously told Fox News Digital. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital that officials were working with international partners and law enforcement to identify travel patterns that could point to birth tourism networks. Pigott said some networks help visitors conceal the purpose of their trips and then coach them on how to avoid paying medical bills. The Northern Mariana Islands program is separate from the visitor visa process targeted by those revocations. Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to why removing Ilhan Omar from Congress could be harder than Trump expects

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to why removing Ilhan Omar from Congress could be harder than Trump expects

Republicans hope there are lots of Democrats who won’t win re-election next week and return to Capitol Hill. Republicans are imploring voters to kick them out. But President Trump is focused on bouncing one Democrat from Congress who likely wins re-election in a solidly blue district. That’s Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). She carried her district two years ago with nearly three-quarters of the vote. But President Trump questions whether Omar is in the country legally and, therefore, qualified to sit in Congress. “She used a fake name to be sworn in,” said the President. “She’s a little troublemaker.” The Department of Justice is investigating Omar for potential immigration fraud. Federal authorities raided her Washington, DC home recently and removed 17 items. That included phones, notebooks, a camera and a Somali phrase book for her kids. President Trump suggests that her name is not “Ilhan Omar” and that it’s “an entirely different name name. Ihan Nur Sayeed Elmi. It’s close.” A federal filing in that inquiry lists the Congresswoman’s name as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar.” That’s why the President says “she must immediately resign from Congress.” A reporter for Fox Digital confronted the Congresswoman about her name. SOMALI RAP PROMISING TO ‘SCATTER’ ENEMIES UNDERSCORES OMAR’S SERENE LAKESIDE VIDEO “Is your name Ilhan Sayed, Ilhan Nur Sayed Alami, or Ilhan Abdullahi Omar?” asked Rashid Umar Abbasi, working for Fox. “Ilhan Abdullahi Omar. You know it,” replied Omar. “Ma’am?” asked Abbasi for clarification. “It’s Ilhan Abdullahi Omar,” she confirmed. The Clerk of the House of Representatives officially lists the Congresswoman as solely “Ilhan Omar” on 15 different financial disclosure reports dating back to 2018. That’s even before she entered Congress. The same with the Minnesota state legislature where Omar served prior to coming to Washington. The discrepancy is why the President wants the House to banish Omar. “She will not be legally allowed to be a member of that august body that sits in Washington,” said President Trump. But it’s not his call. However, Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution grants both bodies of Congress final authority about who it admits to its membership. At least one House Republican is willing to explore that. But only if the facts merit it. “The House has the prerogative to seat or not seat and to throw Members out if it so chooses,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.). “There ought to be good sound reasons for it.” It’s a different set of rules, but Griffith had experience with this as the Virginia House of Delegates grappled with a similar issue about seating lawmakers in the Commonwealth in 1988. But Congress is altogether different. “It would be extraordinary. And it should be extraordinary and it should not be used except in extraordinary circumstances,” said Griffith. Yours truly asked what would meet that bar to block someone from serving in the House. “It’s like the Supreme Court said about pornography. I’ll know it when I see it,” said Griffith, paraphrasing late Justice Potter Stewart from a key 1964 obscenity case. ILHAN OMAR HIT WITH EXPULSION THREAT AS GOP LAWMAKER VOWS TO BOOT HER FROM CONGRESS OVER DOJ PROBE House Republicans have two options to deal with Omar if they are truly determined to take action – regardless of what is proven or not. Qualifications for the House are pretty simple. You must be a citizen and a resident of the state you are representing. And, you must be 25 years old. You could even be convicted of a crime and serving time in jail. The Constitution is silent on all other credentials. You could also have a resume which is without a blemish. It doesn’t matter. The House could still take action against you. The first conceivable option could come now. The Constitution grants the House and Senate the right to expel Members – provided there’s a two-thirds vote. Any scenario to expel Omar seems remarkable. Especially since she hasn’t been convicted of a crime. And even if she is charged, there are lots of other issues which could emerge before a trial. It would be strange to have the executive branch of government trying to remove a Member of the legislative branch of government. Moreover, it’s likely that the House counsel would contest any effort by federal prosecutors to procure Omar’s official House communication devices as well as documents. There’s a firewall between the legislative branch and executive branch known as the “Speech or Debate Clause.” Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution grants lawmakers privileges tied to their official duties. So getting those papers — let alone potentially deporting her as some have suggested – is a far cry. Especially since she’s a Member and this all hinges on expulsion. Moreover, two-thirds of the House will never vote to expel a Member under these circumstances unless there’s ironclad proof of wrongdoing. That’s why the House has only expelled six Members in its history. The last was former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) in 2023. However, what may be an issue is whether or not there could be an objection to seating Omar when the new Congress convenes in January. In 1968, then Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (D-NY) faced a criminal investigation. House Speaker John McCormack (D-Mass.) refused to seat Powell – even though he met all other requirements. The Supreme Court ruled in Powell v. McCormack that the House can’t exclude a Member if they meet the basic standards to serve in the House. TRUMP IMMIGRATION WIN COULD STRENGTHEN ADMIN’S HAND IN LOOMING SUPREME COURT FIGHT That said, it’s possible there could be motions not to seat Omar – or even other progressive Members-elect who have said controversial things about the U.S. and Constitution. Such a motion would come right after the House chooses a Speaker. But the Speaker has not sworn-in the rest of the Members. The House would then swear-in everyone – except the Member or Members-elect who may face questions about serving. Once the House swears in the

Billionaire with Epstein ties emerges as top Dem donor bankrolling ads weaponizing disgraced financier’s files

Billionaire with Epstein ties emerges as top Dem donor bankrolling ads weaponizing disgraced financier’s files

Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn who has faced scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, was among the largest donors to House Majority PAC, a key Democratic fundraising group that is now using Epstein-themed ads to target GOP candidates, according to Federal Election Commission filings released last week. In recent weeks, HMP has begun spending heavily as Election Day nears, pressing the case that Republicans have failed to make good on promises to bring transparency to Epstein’s child sex trafficking activities and whether he facilitated illegal sexual encounters for others. The filings do not identify which donor funds were used for specific advertisements, but Hoffman’s contribution came as HMP ramped up spending on Epstein- focused ads just two weeks ahead of election night. In one such campaign, HMP targeted Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, over his vote against a procedural motion that would have advanced consideration of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Begich later voted in favor of the legislation, which passed with near-unanimous support. EPSTEIN-LINKED BILLIONAIRE POURS $500K INTO SUPER PAC BACKING KENTUCKY DEMOCRAT: ‘DIRTY EPSTEIN-CLASS MONEY’ “How did Jeffrey Epstein hide it? He was protected by the elites — elites like Nick Begich. Begich voted against releasing the Epstein Files, trying to hide the truth. Alaskans need someone who cares more about bringing down costs than protecting a rapist,” the ad claims. The legislation, which became law in November 2025, requires the Justice Department to release records related to Epstein, with some protections to conceal the identity of his victims. HMP has spent $543,300 on the ad campaign, according to FEC records. But the group has also targeted races in a number of other battleground states, spending $ 480,000 in Iowa’s Second Congressional District, $ 2.06 million in Pennsylvania’s 1st District, $550,150 in Arizona’s 2nd District and $628,000 in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District. All the ads launched within the past week, according to ADMO, an advertising- tracking service. TRUMP-LINKED SUPER PAC PULLS FUNDING FROM 2 HOUSE REPUBLICANS AS GOP FIGHTS TO KEEP MAJORITY At least one Republican argued that Hoffman’s ties to Epstein made his contribution — and HMP’s Epstein-focused ads — hypocritical. “Democrats have no problem with money in politics so long as it benefits their own campaign, even if it comes from certified perverts like Reid Hoffman who maintained a relationship with Epstein after his conviction,” Natalie Baldassarre, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Democrats have no morals when power and money are on the line, and they’ll take both from anyone willing to write a check.” For many years, Epstein and Hoffman exchanged correspondence and gifts. They also helped raise money for MIT’s Media Lab. According to records made public through the DOJ’s Epstein Files library, Hoffman joined Epstein at his private island and visited him at his residence in New York. In one email, sent on Christmas Eve in 2014, Hoffman told Epstein he had sent him a pair of gifts. “Sent you two gifts to NYC addie. 1 – Ice cream. If you have any interest, you should try — [or] else for the girls. 2 – something that may strike your funny bone for the island,” Hoffman wrote, referring to a surfer statue. Hoffman has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, telling The Wall Street Journal in 2019 that he regretted continuing their relationship after Epstein was convicted in 2008 on charges of soliciting prostitution from a minor. “My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015. Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice,” Hoffman said in 2019. “For this, I am deeply regretful.” EXCLUSIVE: OSSOFF CHALLENGED TO RETURN EPSTEIN-LINKED DONATION OR RETRACT ‘EPSTEIN CLASS ATTACK’ There is no allegation in the records cited by Fox News Digital that Hoffman participated in Epstein’s sex-trafficking crimes. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Fox News Digital asked HMP whether it was aware of Hoffman’s past relationship with Epstein when it accepted his contribution and whether the group considers his donation consistent with its messaging about Epstein. Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Hoffman but did not receive a response.

Not even sky high gas prices or the Iran war will stop Trump supporters voting MAGA

Not even sky high gas prices or the Iran war will stop Trump supporters voting MAGA

PORT HURON, Michigan – They’re coping with high prices at the gas and diesel pumps and at the supermarket, but the MAGA faithful in this key battleground state remain firmly supportive of President Donald Trump. In conversations with nearly 20 Michigan voters who waited in line for hours to attend a Trump rally in this small city on the shores of Lake Huron, voters made clear they’re sticking with Republicans in the midterm elections and view Democrats as “socialists.” “He has our best interests at heart. He loves our country and he is doing the right things for us to get back on track,” Carol Mocan of Warren, Michigan told Fox News Digital. As they fight to hold their slim House and Senate majorities, Republicans are fighting political history, as the party in power in Washington has traditionally lost seats during midterm election years. The GOP also faces a challenging political climate fueled by persistent inflation tied in part to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran and Trump’s increasingly negative approval ratings. KAROLINE LEAVITT TELLS FOX NEWS DIGITAL TRUMP IS DEFYING MIDTERM HEADWINDS Trump stood at 36% approval in the latest Fox News national poll, his lowest level ever in a Fox News survey. But among self-described MAGA voters, the president’s approval rating remained at a sky high 95%. “I know that Trump is always out for America’s interests first. And that’s what I really like about him,” Bay City resident James Blake said. Linda Taggart of Marysville called the current high prices “short term pain for long term gain…. We see the long term goal and we support that.” Port Huron resident Bob Kemp said Trump is getting the U.S. back on course following four years of Democratic control in the White House under former President Joe Biden, noting “whenever you’re fixing something, it always gets worse before it gets better.” Another Port Huron resident, Michael Bacheller, said the affordability issue wouldn’t impact his vote in the midterms. “I think it’s kind of a small price that we have to pay temporarily, and I think that’s how Trump’s, you know, putting it, and I can agree with that,” he said. Asked if she blamed Trump for high prices, Judith Troy of Port Huron said “yes and no, you know, because he’s doing what he has to do. Which causes, you know, prices to go up and that, but he’s doing it for a good cause, so, you know, it’s expected.” Trump touted during his speech at the rally that “we are ensuring that Iran will never have, ever have, ever, ever a nuclear weapon,” as he offered his reason for launching the war against Iran. The argument resonates with MAGA voters. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “He’s taken the fight to the terrorists over in Iran,” James Blake said. Carol Mocan said she doesn’t blame Trump for the high cost of living “because Iran needed to be taken care of. And no one else has done it for a long time, and I don’t know who else would have, and I really think it needs to be shut down.” Ken Gunnels of Clio, Michigan said, “I believe Iran was a genuine threat to this country. If a nuclear bomb went off in one of our major cities, I don’t think any of us would have any idea the repercussions…that this country would suffer from that. I think those people are monsters, and I think we had to have a president that would stand up to them.” Other MAGA voters said while the war and the economy are important, another issue takes precedence. “My biggest thing is the immigration. If you’re here illegally, expect a knock on your door from ICE,” Burtchville resident Steve Scouten said. WHO’S UP AND WHO’S DOWN IN THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS Bacheller, Scouten’s longtime friend, agreed. “I’m with Steve. I think if I could pick one thing that Trump should really go down for is the immigration policy,” he said. James Blake emphasized that Trump’s “shut the borders.” He added that the president has “also has advocated for no men in women’s sports, which is a huge one for us. Also with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, that’s huge, especially for a lot of members of my family.” And Port Huron resident Rolande Debell highlighted she’s “all for Trump” because “it’s all about being American. It’s all about our freedom. It’s all about our rights. It’s all about our Ten Commandments, and that’s Trump.” DEMOCRACY 2026: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB None of the MAGA voters Fox Digital interviewed said they would vote for a Democrat in the midterms. “I don’t like a lot of the things that they believe in,” Judith Troy said. Carol Mocan argued that Democrats “don’t live in the same world that that the rest of us do. They just don’t, they don’t think about the people. They think about their careers… whatever it takes to get elected.” Asked why he won’t consider voting for Democrats, James Blake said, “I’m not in the business of socialism. I don’t think that’s a good way to go, and I think that’s where the Democrats are heading at this time.” Meanwhile, Steve Scouten shared that he “used to be a Democrat.” “Never again. They’re too far to the left,” he claimed.