Prime Ministers of Antigua and Dominica respond to US Travel Ban
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump, expanded restrictions on foreign nationals entering the United States on December 16, targeting two Caribbean nations that offer citizenship by investment, while exempting three others with similar programmes.
Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica will encounter partial entry restrictions beginning January 1, 2026. The proclamation blocks nationals from both countries from obtaining: Immigrant visas: all immigrant visas (permanent immigration, incl. family/ employment/diversity) B-1 visas: business visitor B-2 visas: tourist/visitor B-1/B-2 visas: combined business + tourist visitor F visas: academic student M visas: vocational student J visasx: exchange visitor. The White House proclamation explicitly cited citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes as the rationale for restricting the two islands.
Trump warns that “a foreign national from a country that is subject to travel restrictions could purchase CBI from a second country that is not subject to travel restrictions, obtain a passport in the citizenship of that second country, and subsequently apply for a United States visa for travel to the United States, thus evading the travel restrictions on his or her first country.”
US law enforcement and the State Department have determined that “historically, CBI programs have been susceptible to several risks.”
The President says these risks include allowing individuals “to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions”.
Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia operate similar CBI programs, but did not appear in the proclamation.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, expressed disappointment at his country’s inclusion and rejected the administration’s characterization of the CBI program. Browne declared the government was “deeply disappointed that Antigua and Barbuda has been included in this proclamation on the stated ground that our Citizenship by Investment Programme has historically operated without a residency requirement”.
That assertion “does not reflect the present reality of our laws,” according to Browne’s statement. Parliament recently enacted legislation introducing a mandatory 30-day physical residency requirement as a strict condition for citizenship qualification.
Antigua’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, contacted the State Department immediately following the proclamation’s release. Officials told Sanders they found the proclamation surprising and had received no prior notice of its issuance, Browne disclosed.
Browne emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda “engaged in good faith” with several US departments over the past year to strengthen CBI safeguards.
He said the government accepted practical suggestions and took concrete steps to ensure the program “presents no risk whatsoever to the security of the United States,” according to his statement.
The prime minister announced he was writing directly to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “offering the full engagement and cooperation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to address any concerns” and restore normal visa access.
Dominica’s government issued a brief statement acknowledging the restrictions and promising urgent engagement with US authorities.
Officials are actively consulting the US Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, to obtain clarification on the scope, basis, and specific implications for Dominican travellers, students, and families.
The government pledged to work closely with US authorities to address identified issues and protect Dominican citizens’ interests.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said officials are committed to treating the matter “with the utmost seriousness and urgency” and promised further updates once they confirm additional details.
The December 16 proclamation represents the culmination of a nine-month policy development. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce categorically denied reports of a draft travel ban list in March, insisting “there’s no list.”
A June memo reviewed by the Washington Post showed 36 countries facing potential restrictions, explicitly citing “citizenship by monetary investment without a requirement of residency” as grounds for action.
That memo gave countries 60 days to address deficiencies in document security, data sharing, and visa overstays.
The restrictions do not apply to nationals who already hold valid visas before January 1, 2026, or who are outside the United States on the effective date.
Adapted from (IMI •Amman)
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