By-Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA-Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has told the nation that there is no need for concern over the United States’ concerns about the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI).
The US has raised concerns over the lack of residency requirements in some Caribbean CBI programmes and as well as issues relating to passport security, visa overstay, and cooperation on deportation.
At the press conference, Prime Minister Skerrit stated that, though they (his government) have not received any official communication on this matter, however, “we have been proactive in engaging the US authorities to ascertain the facts and the actions that may be necessary.”
“I assure the people of Dominica that we take this matter seriously and the government is addressing this matter through the appropriate diplomatic channels,” he said.
“To Dominicans who have a US visa, and have legitimate reasons to travel to the United States, they can do so whether on business, study, or vacation.”
Skerrit stated that his government is committed to protecting the interests of nationals, the integrity of international partnerships, and most importantly, uniting freedom for the Dominican people.
“We are prepared to address the concerns raised by our international partners through appropriate diplomatic and cooperative means. The government will keep the public informed as more information becomes available. We remain confident in our institutions, in the strength of our international relations and in our collective abilities to resolve any issues that may arise,” Skerrit stated.
He remarked further that from his government’s engagement so far, they have been able to get some information on the concerns that the United States may have. “One of them being illegal migration from Dominica involving persons who are residing in the United States illegally (i.e. persons who have overstated in the United States on their visas illegally) the US is raising that concern and is something that we have to address and our continued cooperation on those who have to be deported.”
“But for Dominica, so far, we have not had any number of deportees, but we will continue to cooperate with the United States on this matter. They are also concerned about some aspects of our CBI programme, most of which are being addressed through the establishment of the Independent Regulatory Authority (IRA) among the member States who have CBI programmes,” PM Skerrit said.
He also posited that the United States is concerned about the ability of those holding CBI passports to change their names either during or after the process. “We met as Heads of Government and made it quite clear that one of the provisions of the legislation in this new application is the complete ban on applicants to change their names. So, once you become a citizen under the CBI programme, you will not have the ability to change your name. There are a few other administrative things that we believe we will be able to address and capture in the new legislation, and we will share them with the public,” he remarked.
“So, nothing to worry about, we treat things maturely and responsibly, and we will continue to engage the United States maturely and responsibly. No need to panic…on this matter, wait to hear from the government, we will be open and transparent with you, the public.”
“We are grateful to have the United States as our partner, and we will continue to engage them in the concerns that they have,” he stated.
Skerrit also remarked that the Ministry of National Security has received a correspondence from the United States asking that it be shared with our nationals stating that “when you travel to the US and are given six months to stay, you should not pass that six months. Also, they are asking us to inform our citizens who are in the United States and have overstayed on their visas to please avail yourselves to the authorities, and they will facilitate you in getting you back to Dominica.”
