Information Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Dec. 17, 2025: The governments of Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica have each expressed surprised disbelief after each nations have been slapped with a partial Trump journey ban on Tuesday.
The proclamation, issued by the White Home is the “RESTRICTING AND LIMITING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES” proclamation.
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
The Authorities of Antigua and Barbuda says it’s actively engaged in pressing diplomatic discussions with america following President Donald Trump’s newest government order proscribing or limiting entry for nationals of a number of Caribbean Neighborhood, (CARICOM) nations, together with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Haiti.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to america, Sir Ronald Sanders, confirmed Wednesday that he has initiated discussions with the U.S. State Division to hunt readability on the scope and foundation of the restrictions, notably concerning the standing of visas issued earlier than December 31, 2025.
“Our common goal is to interact totally with the U.S. Authorities to debate the priority expressed concerning the foundation for the visa restrictions, particularly that Antigua and Barbuda has traditionally had Citizenship by Funding with out residency,” Sir Ronald stated in an announcement. “Our efforts are directed at reaching understandings that might permit for the restoration of visas to Antigua and Barbuda nationals.”
The U.S. proclamation cites considerations that Citizenship by Funding (CBI) packages with out necessary residency necessities pose challenges to screening and vetting processes, probably permitting people from restricted nations to acquire different passports and circumvent U.S. journey controls.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Gaston Browne rejected the characterization, saying it doesn’t replicate Antigua and Barbuda’s present authorized framework.
“That assertion doesn’t replicate the current actuality of our legal guidelines,” Browne stated, noting that over the previous 12 months his authorities has labored “carefully and constructively” with a number of U.S. companies to strengthen safeguards inside the nation’s CBI program.
As a part of these reforms, Antigua and Barbuda’s Parliament lately handed complete laws enhancing due diligence, transparency, enforcement, and information-sharing. Crucially, the reforms embody a compulsory 30-day bodily residency requirement for citizenship candidates.
“It’s subsequently an error to state that Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Funding Programme operates with out a residency requirement,” Browne emphasised.
The Prime Minister additionally revealed that Sir Ronald Sanders was knowledgeable by U.S. State Division officers that they have been themselves shocked by the proclamation and had obtained no prior discover of its issuance.
Browne stated he’ll write on to President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, providing full cooperation to deal with any considerations and looking for the restoration of all visa classes.
“Antigua and Barbuda values its relationship with america, a relationship grounded in long-standing ties of friendship, shared democratic values, and shut people-to-people connections,” Browne stated, noting that the U.S. stays the nation’s largest buying and selling accomplice and enjoys a considerable commerce surplus with the twin-island state.
DOMINICA
In the meantime, Dominica has additionally moved swiftly to interact U.S. authorities. In an announcement Tuesday evening, the Authorities of Dominica stated it’s looking for formal clarification on the scope and implications of the measures, that are scheduled to take impact January 1, 2026.
The Roosevelt Skerrit administration stated it’s actively partaking officers on the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, to evaluate how the restrictions could have an effect on Dominican vacationers, college students, households, and current visa holders.
“The Authorities understands the priority this announcement could trigger and needs to reassure all Dominicans that this matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness and urgency,” the Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated.
Underneath the manager order issued Tuesday, Dec. sixteenth, entry into america for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica is suspended for immigrant visas and several other nonimmigrant classes, together with B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, with lowered validity for different visa sorts the place permitted by legislation.
President Donald Trump stated the restrictions are a part of a broader effort to guard U.S. nationwide safety and public security, arguing that some nations proceed to exhibit deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing.
Whereas Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, faces partial restrictions, Haiti faces a full restriction, alongside a number of African and Center Japanese nations.
Caribbean governments have confused that they continue to be dedicated to cooperation, transparency, and constructive dialogue, as they work to guard the pursuits of their residents and protect long-standing diplomatic and financial ties with america.
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our publication, and be a part of our rising neighborhood at nextbusiness24.com
