By Sir Ronald Sanders
When powerful states act, small states are tempted to personalize the action. When small states fragment, powerful states do not need to explain themselves.
That is the lesson CARICOM should draw from the recent U.S. decision to impose partial visa restrictions and to pause the issuance of certain immigrant visas – commonly known as “green cards” – to nationals of several countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.
Across the region, a misleading narrative quickly took hold. Opposition parties and political actors rushed to portray the U.S. action as a sanction against governments in power, each tailoring the claim to domestic political advantage. Some governments stayed silent. One appeared to exult, pleased that neighbours had been named while it had not.
That reaction revealed more about Caribbean weakness than American intent. The truth, supported by U.S. statements and data, is that this is not a diplomatic punishment directed at Caribbean governments. It is a domestic U.S. policy decision, driven by internal political and financial considerations that extend far beyond the Caribbean.
A domestic policy, not a Caribbean rebuke
The U.S. review rests on two stated concerns.
First, public expenditure. U.S. authorities have pointed to data showing that a significant proportion of immigrant households eventually draw on public assistance. President Donald Trump has been explicit that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and must not become a burden on American taxpayers. One may debate the policy, but it is neither novel nor unlawful within U.S. immigration practice.
Second, demographic and political distortion. Overstayers who remain in the United States illegally are nevertheless counted in population totals that shape congressional representation and federal funding. In a polarized America, this is not a technical matter; it goes to political power and legitimacy.
These concerns explain why the pause applies to immigrant visas, not to tourist, student, or business travel. They also explain why the list of affected countries is global, spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and much of the Caribbean. This is domestic policymaking; not diplomatic retaliation.
The numbers underline the point. U.S. data show that across CARICOM the percentage of immigrant households receiving public assistance is fairly high: Antigua and Barbuda at 41.9 per cent; Dominica at 45.1 per cent; Saint Lucia and Guyana at 41.7 per cent; Belize at 41.8 per cent; Grenada at 40.7 per cent; Saint Kitts and Nevis at 39.1 per cent; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 38.1 per cent; Trinidad and Tobago at 37.1 per cent; Jamaica at 36.7 per cent; The Bahamas at 34.0 per cent; and Barbados at 33.9 per cent. Haiti sits higher still at 52.3 per cent. These figures are not judgments on governments; they are actuarial inputs into U.S. domestic assessments of “public charge” risk.
Why B1–B2 visas are also affected
There is, however, another issue that must be addressed honestly: the restriction on new B1–B2 visitor visas for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.
This measure is tied primarily to concerns about visa overstaying, unlawful residence, and the use of public services – particularly healthcare – without payment. These concerns intersect with Citizenship by Investment programmes, not because such programmes are illegitimate, but because U.S. law-enforcement agencies believe identity verification must be strengthened.
President Trump stated this plainly in his Proclamation, noting that CBI programmes have historically been susceptible to risks, including the concealment of identity or assets to evade travel or financial restrictions. Enhanced biometric systems are intended to address those risks.
It is also widely understood that nationals of several other CARICOM countries – though not formally listed – are already experiencing heightened scrutiny and informal visa refusals. pending agreement on improved biometric arrangements. This is not selective punishment; it is a demand for deeper verification.
Sovereignty cuts both ways
Another truth must be stated plainly. The United States has the sovereign right to regulate entry to its territory, to pause visa categories, and to deport persons who are unlawfully present and dependent on the public purse. Every CARICOM state exercises the same authority. We deny entry. We deport overstayers. We enforce immigration laws when national interest requires it.
To deny the U.S. this right would be hypocritical and diplomatically unsound. The issue is not authority; it is how consequences are managed, especially for lawful travellers who comply with the law.
Where the Caribbean failed itself
If the U.S. action is understandable – even if debatable – the Caribbean response has been weak.
There was no coordinated CARICOM position, no early joint clarification, no collective insistence on fact over fiction. Instead, there was silence, finger-pointing, and political theatre. Governments calculated how to protect themselves individually rather than how to protect the region collectively.
That fragmentation had predictable results. When the U.S. State Department later published its broader list, it became clear that 11 of the 14 independent CARICOM states were affected. Fragmentation did not buy protection; it merely delayed recognition.
This is the CARICOM contradiction laid bare. We consult, but too often do not conclude. We proclaim unity, but practise unilateralism when pressure comes. Self-censorship -anticipating what a powerful partner expects and adjusting behaviour accordingly – has replaced collective resolve.
Fragmentation does not preserve sovereignty. It surrenders it, piece by piece.
A better path
What is needed now is neither outrage nor inter-Caribbean recrimination. CARICOM governments should consult to agree on a common framework for engagement with the United States – one that distinguishes illegal overstayers from lawful travellers; separates individual “public charge” assessments from national reputation; and addresses biometric and identity-verification concerns through collective, technically sound solutions.
Any cooperation offered should be transparent, voluntary and capped. If not, each country will continue to do what they are doing now – every man for himself.
When small states quarrel among themselves over another country’s domestic policy, they do not influence outcomes; they merely endure them. Sovereignty for small states is not defended by silence, nor by opportunism, nor by celebrating a neighbour’s discomfort. It is defended by coherence, discipline, and the courage to speak with one voice when facts matter most.
(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com)
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This is so much better than what’s written by the idiot that runs UWI Five Islands.
NOBODY WANT TO HEAR NUTTEN FROM YOU. Papa V.C. Bird once deported you from Antigua. Lester brought you back, now Gaston allowing you to complete the destruction of Antigua
Explain why Trinidad was left out if it was just procedure? You can’t
If they were being fair the ‘small fragments’ wouldn’t behave so. Take a seat.
Back to story-writing i see. Can’t do much ambassadorial work anyway
Caribbean clASSism meets American Facism/Racism head on, now the proponents, of said Caribbean CLASSISM are coming to the people bawling their souls out filling a #scandal_bag, now that MAGA is treating them like #floor_rags.
You didn’t take the headings, the warnings of the Ancients who for decades reminded you of AFRICA’S CALLINGS, and to add insult to injury Nation’s like Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA have to turn to places like Ghana to supply it with PROFESSIONALS who should have been trained in the Caribbean and retained, in the Caribbean to build its vital Institutions, such as healthcare, but because of the institutionalized CLASSISMS, ISMS & SHISMS these vital institutions are standing on weak, shaking ground and it’s not because there are natural tectonic movements under the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
@ Born & Bred Antiguan,
He came from Guyana as a journalist. Papa Bird realize he was up to no good.
He was the one behind Lester’s first attempt to replaced PaPa Bird and promoted the political strategy of keep them uninformed and dependent.
That’s the reason why he was deported.
Lester recognize he is good at coming up with ideas for money schemes (need I say more).
Gaston has made good using him as the architect of his own money schemes.
Ron Saunders is moving on to be the Chancellor of University of Guyana after they were forced to close Global Bank.
Born & Bred Antiguans should be aware of what’s happening in the country
@ Born & Bred Antiguan: Given the moniker you have chosen; you may be right about nobody want to hear nothing from him.
Wonder how you feel about what Gaston Browne our PM has to say on the audio floating around.
He blames all the immigration situation on the Antigua and Barbuda people.
Sometimes a person is not wrong in the facts, but if you have child who initiated petty thief’s in your home, then go out and rob people and get shot
who do you blame? Just the deceased and the shooter?
Don’t blame the messenger Saunders in this case
Blame your Political leadership and utilize your pedigree as a Born & Bred Antiguan.
@ An Antiguan,
You are the one who needs to take a seat
Trinidad was left out because of the deal they made with Exxon.
If you follow local and regional news only and never global news and or global events.
When Trump met with oil companies, the only head of the American oil giants who did not commit was Exxon.
Why would The President of Exxon go against the mercurial Trump?
That’s because Exxon already has its deal in the southern Caribbean oil basin.
They are unready junior partners with Chevron in Guiana and they have Trinidad all by itself.
Where is the Caribbean news portal or publication eho will inform you of these things?
Unfortunately around here individuals either listen to the political media on either side. Others go to social media and chooses not to be bothered.
While I have seen it covered in the international press about Trinidad signing a deal since last summer either Exxon to do drilling off shore Trinidad and Tobago.
Nothing said or written around this region that I have seen.
My advise is that you and others should take you seat be less emotional and make an effort to become more aware and less judgmental and emotional.
Have to beg to differ from Sir Ron. His acceptance of the data from the US without question is unwise. Yes there is some abuse, we have all heard the stories, but Trump (his Whitehouse)has a way of making things up to justify their wrong actions. Some of my question would be what period is this data from? How does it define a immigrant? What amounts $ wise are we speaking about? What is the breakdown of services being accessed? How is place of birth being determined?
@Countryman Abroad you guys are so like Trump in your penchant to make things up. GBC is still open and operating. This notion that Sir Ron promoted a stategy to keep persons uniformed is false. If such were true why did the LB administration push for things like Board of Education, ABIIT (Eustece Hill campus). Countryman Abroad , it really does not help your argument when you proceed to push falsehoods
Tenman, I never thought I’d see the day when I would be in total agreement with you when you mention in one of your earlier comments when you say:
“Have to differ from [sic] Ron …”
I always try to pick the bones out of your comments and respond accordingly; but on this occasion you were on point. Nice! 👏🏾
Now do you see the difference between me and you?
Yes that’s right, when my political opponents talk sense, I often more than not acknowledge it!
Just ask Dave Ray!
Mek mi go lie down and recover boss 🤣
VC Bird Sr. was known as the education Prime Minister not Lester Bird.
The framework for the system was provided by African Attorney who VC Bird Sr got through UN
The Board of Education is a great idea for a small developing country at that time was one among the Ministries and Statuary Bodies for which he decided a framework.
Unfortunately, the Board of Ed was and still being used as a parking lot for ALP supporters bureaucracy.
ABIIT the place where to go to learn Microsoft suite? Gimme a break.
You went to SMU for you were more politically connected.
In fact I was informed by a diehard labor party man who sat in the board of the Free Trade Zone
Among the things I’ve learned about Ron Saunders coming with other journalists like Hartley Henry but he was better at being a spin doctor.
Among the things I do with my time is to sit with and ask questions to people on both side of the political divide. Antigua Labor Party stalwarts and old party leaders of PLM.
I have no fog in this fight other than hoping that something is left for future generations.
Gaston Browne was on an audio clip recently attempting to defend the immigration situation.
Who did he blame ? Not Trump. Not those in his office.
He blamed Antiguans and Barbudans. If you haven’t heard it seek out a copy.
Your perspective of education is different from mind. If we had an educated population we would have gotten rid of both existing political parties.
My only dog in this fight is to wish for the day when Antiguans and Barbudans become enlightened citizens and recognize who are their allies and who are their enemies.
Only a revolution in thought can make that happen.
The perverse classism led by skin color and the neocolonial values causes individuals like you not to be able understand we are eating our bes Norns, and to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Your modus operandi is to accuse others of lying or falsehoods. Time for you to consider using another gimmick.
As Pompey would say: walk good
This guy again.
Let me continue to clear the air for you folks who think GB has no blame in this.
Ask him why he was playing all sides, and to who’s benefit?
Ask him to disclose why the president of WIOC was detained, searched(phone) and then released by the FBI?
Why did Kamala ask him GB this specific question ” go and explain to your people why they got visa restrictions”. indicating that there is a plausible explanation.
So all this talk about Caribbean this and Caribbean that, we are talking about; two specific islands, Antigua and Dominca.
This is just another article to stare the conversation away from the truth, and that is that GB and his bwoi Skerrit are knee deep in the Maduro oil deals with WIOC.
Ask Gatson Browne what prices were negotiated in the last oil deal with Maduro and how many personal shares he has in WIOC?
There is conflict of interest all across the board here.its plain a day. The same conflict of interest and nepotism GB has displayed here at home.
Isn’t Maria on the WIOC board?
Antiguan’s, stop being naive.
These are two deterrent assessments by the US when it comes these two islands with visa restrictions.
Again, the CIA and FBI do not fly around the world to just sit on the beach and throw rocks at the sea.
This man does not fool me with this intentional spin.
@Tenman,
What world are you living in? Stop living in the ABLP fantasy bubble.
Should Ron Saunders do something like asking the US State Department for data. He will get data alright.
You really think Antigua snd Barbuda has clout. He would also get the various unpaid medical and other services invoices with the data
No one wants to see the data but you. One, it doesn’t look good.
Two, simply asking for the data will give the Trump Administration officials reason to end all type of visa issued to Antigua.
There is hardly any adult Antiguan and Barbudan who are not aware of numerous instances where women went to the VI and or NY have their babies and returned without paying a penny.
I know of member family acquaintances who left $2.0 million medical bills. And another with a premature baby who had to stay in the hospital for over a month, costing over $1.0 mm
Tenman the way it works in places like NYC it the law that you can’t refuse an individual medical care. How would you feel if Haitians came to
Antigua for their medical care and leave without paying ?
Cabinet just issued a Cabinet Report with the justification for importing Nurses from Ghana.
Supposedly the local nurse training is of such high quality that they are proached.
The problem here for you is that you and your ABLP colleagues lives in a culture of beating the system.
The zig is up !! You need to accept it.
And let me continue.
The US is not a willing participant when in comes to just glossing over these types of conflicts of interest and backdoor deals when it’s not in the interest of their political agenda.
Not the way we just gloss over blatant corruption here in Antigua .namely the car thief, and most atrociously the 1000 illegal immigrants that were let in to just find their way to the US, where 17 drowned at sea.
And don’t talk about the Alpha..where is the money GB? National debt my back-foot. 😂
So if GB and his dirty deals do not have anything to do with us getting visa restrictions, then we are as dumb as a bag of rocks.
The US looked into GB and by extension Antigua’s dirty deeds, and they said nope, this man will not play us before we play him.
GB got beaten by a better appointment, because the US are playing Chess when GB is playing cheaters.
And let me go one further. The US has turned it’s back on GB and Antigua. You would not here one more talk from this fool Saunders and GB about going to Washington to talk, not one. Trump has turned his ears from these guys. Just watch.
At least it will save the tax payers some money on these useless travels.
Think people, think.
@Brixtonian, lets just admit you would love all my comments if i followed Parkers lead and head back to the upp vomit. Guy i value the time l have left on this earth, have no time like you guys to waddle in bitterness. Know i have you (your alias)on my prayer list
*hear*
There is a saying, “There is is blessing in disguise”.
There is an opportunity in every disappointment” is a popular, optimistic adage often attributed to figures like Winston Churchill (who said: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”) or Albert Einstein (“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”).
For years the Caribbean have been fighting the “Brain Drain”. We see our young and bright children moving to North America or Europe and help build those countries while their country of birth has to import expert labour from the these very same countries and pay them handsomely. It would be in our own interest if we should aid the US Immigration and alert them when our citizens do not return home as they should. A person who has no choice will stay home and make the best of it. We would be helping the USA or Canada with their immigration issues of our people overstaying their visa while those that follow the law will retain their immigrant visas if the country so wishes. by this way we may solve some of the brain drain and keep our youth in particular at home contributing to the country of their birth.
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