By Staff Writer
ROSEAU, Dominica, Dec 19, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Friday, thanked the United States government for suspending a proclamation that would have prevented Dominicans from entering the North American country from January 1 next year.
Speaking on the state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit said that following discussions with the United States officials at the embassy in Barbados as well as the State Department in Washington, an agreement had been reached to suspend the proclamation that had been announced on Tuesday by President Donald Trump.
“I would like to thank the United States government itself for understanding the situation and agreeing to set aside for the time being the proclamation…and so this is good news. The anxieties that we all would have should be set aside,” Skerrit told radio listeners, adding that Roseau was looking forward to continuing the good relations it has enjoyed with Washington in the past.
On Tuesday, President Trump issued his latest executive order, stating that, apart from Antigua and Barbuda, nationals from Dominica and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.
Trump stated that some of the countries identified in an earlier proclamation had offered Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without requiring residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.
Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.
Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have “historically had CBI without residency” and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.
He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica “to the extent permitted by law.
Trump said in its latest executive order justifying the action taken against the Caribbean countries that “as an example, 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.
“ Additionally, United States law enforcement and the Department of State have found that, historically, CBI programmes have been susceptible to several risks. These risks include allowing an individual to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions,” he said.
Skerrit said his administration was prepared to ‘continue working with the US on whatever issues they may have, moving forward together as partners.
Skerrit, who has promised to provide further information on the “suspension of the proclamation, said that Dominicans who are holders of “visas of any kind can travel to the United States past January 1, 2025.
Earlier, the Antigua and Barbuda government said that a similar suspension had been afforded to its nationals
“This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,” said Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, adding that “for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.
“Second, there will be no revocation of any existing visas issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda before 31 December 2025,” he said in a statement.
He said about new visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026, “these will be subject to new arrangements that are still to be worked out with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.
“These arrangements relate specifically to the collection of biometric information of Antigua and Barbuda passport holders to ensure full compatibility with United States biometric systems.”
CMC/pr/ir/2025
