Customs authorities in Guam have expressed concerns over a trend of Chinese migrants entering from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), exploiting a loophole in entry processes.
This is a potential security risk for the U.S. territory.
The CNMI, which became a part of the U.S. in 1986 and lies close to Japan in the West Pacific, operates under a distinct government from Guam despite their close proximity.
The introduction of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program in 2009, critics argue, has inadvertently facilitated not only asylum-seeking and illegal work but may also be exploited for activities aligned with the Chinese Communist Party’s interests.
This situation has raised alarms about the adequacy of current enforcement and oversight mechanisms to safeguard national security.
Alana Chargualaf-Afaisen, a spokesperson for Guam Customs and Quarantine (CQA), emphasized the broad spectrum of threats associated with unlawful entries.
These include risks to military intelligence, terrorism, public health, and crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling, all of which compromise the quality of life and security in Guam.
To combat these challenges, CQA collaborates with various U.S. agencies, including the Coast Guard, Navy, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI, among others.
Daily vessel movements are also tracked between Guam and CNMI.
Recently, 118 cases of illegal entry or interception of Chinese nationals have been reported since 2022.
The peak of these incidents occurred in 2022, with a slight decrease observed in the following years.
A recent rescue operation involving the Guam Fire Rescue, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy saved six Chinese nationals from a distressed vessel near Guam.
These incidents primarily stem from economic motivations rather than malevolent intentions, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
However, Chinese presence on Guam, which is just 6,000 miles off the coast of California, is a security risk.
Local officials have been voicing concerns and highlighting the need for more equitable engagement with the federal government and the Department of Defense over the issue.
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