US immigration amid Trump’s presidency is changing as we speak. As the US is one of the favoured immigration destinations (along with Canada and the UK) for Antiguans and Barbudans, it is crucial to know what the recent US immigration policy changes under the Trump presidency mean for you, and how they may impact your immigration plans.
In any case, we strongly recommend consulting a US immigration lawyer if you are planning to apply for a US visa from Antigua and Barbuda. While this article provides a general overview of the current Antigua immigration challenges to the US, hiring a professional and competent US immigration lawyer will help you better understand your chances to move to the US given your personal circumstances.
Changes in US Immigration for Antigua Nationals under Trump’s Policies
Antigua and Barbuda is on a list of 36 ‘watchlist countries’ which may be subjected to a complete US travel ban or increased immigration restrictions imposed on them by the Trump administration from August 2025 onwards.
On 5 June 2025, President Trump announced a blanket ban on people from 12 countries travelling to the US (effective from 9 June onwards), while increasing US entry restrictions for people from seven more countries. This move is part of Trump’s immigration crackdown as promised during his presidential campaigns, and reinforced by his Executive Order 14161 dated 20 January (Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats).
In the weeks following the ban, US media reported that such travel ban/restrictions may extend to 36 other countries, who are currently on the administration’s watchlist. This was further reinforced by a memo sent by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dated 14 June to US representatives in those countries.
The said memo mentions that the respective country governments have been given 60 days to submit an action plan on how they are planning to meet the heightened US immigration standards (specifically, certain immigrant screening and data-sharing requirements). It further outlines that any failure to do so is likely to result in a complete or partial US travel ban for people from these countries.
The deadline to submit the action plan was 18 June. It is still unclear whether any of the 36 countries have submitted their respective action plans by that date.
How Antigua Citizens Can Immigrate to the US in 2025
In case Antigua and Barbuda nationals are not banned or restricted from entering the US, there are predominantly two major visa categories through which you may apply.
If you are planning for a short visit to the US for tourism, business, medical, temporary employment, visiting family and friends, or studying purposes, you will need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. This allows you to stay in the US for the duration of your visa and engage only in the type of activities as permitted under your respective nonimmigrant visa category.
On the other hand, an immigrant visa (also called ‘lawful permanent residence’) allows you to live in the US permanently, and engage in any lawful activities you may wish to by obtaining a green card. Family visas and employment-based visas are the most applied for visa categories under the immigrant visa type.
However, if the US is going to place Antigua and Barbuda in the list of restricted nations, the visa types for which you may apply is likely to be limited. For the nations currently on the partially banned list, the US has suspended all immigration visas, and are not issuing certain nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist/business, student, vocational and exchange visas, any more.
In the worst possible scenario, Antigua and Barbuda may also be put on the fully banned list, meaning the US will suspend all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa types for Antiguan and Barbudan nationals.
Although at this moment no one knows what the Trump administration’s next move will be regarding people coming to the US from Antigua and Barbuda, this state of uncertainty surely heightens the need for hiring a professional US immigration lawyer.
An immigration solicitor will not only be able to provide you with comprehensive legal support and thorough guidance on your immigration journey, but can also protect your legal rights and represent you in front of any immigration authority, tribunal, or court of law.
What Trump’s Immigration Laws Mean for Antigua Migrants to the US: Exceptions
Even if Antigua and Barbuda is eventually placed in the lists for fully banned or partially banned countries, that will not affect an Antigua and Barbuda national who is:
- Already residing in the US as a lawful permanent resident (that is, holding a green card)
- Already holding a valid US visa
- A member of foreign diplomatic service travelling to the US holding an A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO‑2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa
- A dual country national and is travelling to the US on the passport of their other country which has not been banned by the US
- An athlete or member of an athletic team who is travelling to the US to take part in a major sporting event
- Holding an immediate family immigrant visa (e.g., IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, or IR-5)
- An adoptee whose adoption process meets the specific US immigration law requirements
- Holding a special immigrant visa for US government employees
Immigration From Antigua to the US 2025: The Road Ahead
Lawsuits have already been filed in the US against Trump’s immigration control moves. The full or partial travel bans are not permanent, meaning they can be overturned by the courts or repealed by a succeeding US administration.
Moreover, Trump’s next move with regard to the 36 watchlist countries, of which Antigua and Barbuda is one, has not yet been announced at the time of writing this article. Likewise, it has not yet been made public whether Antigua and Barbuda has taken any steps to mitigate the US immigration concerns.
The mantra for now is to ‘wait and watch’. Do not travel internationally if you are an Antigua and Barbuda national currently in the US. Be prepared for a delay with your visa processing or a visa rejection if you are planning to move to the US. Speak to a US immigration lawyer for legal guidance and support.
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Title: Antigua to US Immigration Process: Updated Guide for 2025
Description: How Trump’s presidency impacts immigration from Antigua to the US, and the legal pathways for Antigua citizens to migrate to the US in 2025.
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