By Sir Ronald Sanders
The recent proclamation issued by the Government of the United States, announcing its intention to suspend the entry of nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica, effective at 12:01 a.m. on 1 January 2026, has understandably caused concern among citizens of the two Caribbean countries. Since then, it has been learned that nationals of other Caribbean countries, including government ministers, have been denied U.S. visas.
For many in these countries — as in the rest of the Caribbean — access to the United States for family ties, education, medical care, business, and opportunity is deeply valued. Any uncertainty about that access naturally gives rise to anxiety, not only for individuals but also for economies that are closely linked to the United States through trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchange. There is therefore an urgent and legitimate need for clarity about what will apply after 1 January 2026, particularly with respect to existing visas.
From the moment the proclamation was published, Prime Minister Gaston Browne and I have been actively engaged with senior representatives of the United States Government to seek clarity and to work constructively toward resolution. Those efforts are ongoing. It is relevant to note that the proclamation came as an unexpected development, including to officials within the U.S. system responsible for Caribbean affairs.
It would be disingenuous not to acknowledge that it was disappointing for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica that this proclamation was issued without advance notice to either government. This is especially so given that, for almost a year, representatives of several departments of the United States Government and the governments of the five Caribbean countries operating Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes have been engaged in sustained and detailed discussions on precisely these issues. That engagement was constructive and undertaken in good faith on all sides.
Moreover, the five countries took collective steps — based on recommendations from U.S. officials — to streamline and strengthen the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing their CBI programmes.
The stated reason for the proclamation, as it applies to Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, is that these countries have historically operated CBI programmes “without residency.” In Antigua and Barbuda’s case, that characterisation does not reflect the full facts. Antigua and Barbuda has always had a residency requirement, and in November of this year Parliament significantly strengthened it as part of a broader package of legislative reforms. Dominica has also enacted extensive reforms. These measures were taken precisely to address concerns raised and to align systems with the highest international standards.
Some surprise has also been expressed that Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica were identified for visa restrictions when three other Caribbean countries operating similar programmes were not included. This, too, is a matter that merits calm clarification through dialogue.
There has inevitably been speculation by commentators and political activists about what they describe as the “real reasons” behind the proclamation. Governments, however, cannot conduct relations on the basis of speculation. Diplomatic engagement must proceed on the basis of the reasons formally stated by governments themselves. In this instance, those reasons relate to CBI programmes and residency requirements, and that is therefore the issue that must be addressed directly, factually, and constructively.
Antigua and Barbuda fully recognises the sovereign right — and indeed the responsibility — of the United States to protect its citizens from external threats and to ensure that visas are not used for illicit or harmful purposes. We share those objectives. That is why we remain ready to work with the United States to establish and refine all necessary safeguards and guardrails to ensure that the systems we operate present no risk to U.S. security.
For 250 years, Caribbean countries and the United States have shared a tradition of close, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relations — economically, socially, and strategically. That relationship has served all our peoples well. It is that tradition which must now guide us: preserving security while maintaining lawful and legitimate access for citizens to each other’s countries.
This moment therefore calls not only for calm, but for timely clarity. Prolonged uncertainty benefits no one. For citizens who have already been vetted and issued valid visas by United States authorities, it is reasonable that lawful travel be allowed to continue — subject to any additional checks the United States considers necessary — while longer-term solutions are finalised for new visa applicants.
Antigua and Barbuda approaches this matter in good faith, with respect for the sovereign responsibilities of the United States and confidence in the value of our long-standing relationship. We look to that tradition of dialogue and cooperation to ensure that security is upheld without unintended harm to ordinary people, legitimate commerce, education, and family ties.
That work has already begun, and mechanisms are now being examined by officials of the United States and Antigua and Barbuda with the intention of identifying early and practical solutions.
That balance has been achieved before. It can — and should — be achieved again.
(The writer is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda and Dean of the Group of Western Hemisphere Ambassadors accredited to the United States)
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This visa restrictions has nothing to do wit cbi this is all about antigua an Dominica having close ties wit Venezuela cuz 3 other Caribbean countries hv d exact same cbi program an was not listed for visa restrictions
The Trump Government says it’s about CBI and everyone is scratching their heads
Remember the Alpha Nero; Gaston making threats to sue for defamation. Trump and his associates do things differently.
When you are prohibited from going to the US, remember the Alpha Nero
The US doesn’t trust this administration, plain and simple. Let’s call a spade a spade.
GB and co cannot be trusted..not from recent events that has taken place right under their noses.
If y’all don’t think cozying up to China, Venezuela, and the failure to denounce Maduro is a serious issue, well something is totally lacking in the IQ of the Antiguan people.
You cannot be friends to all and enemy to none in this current global climate, you just cannot. All this word salad from this embassador is just that, word salad.
Just a few years ago, 1000 illegal Africans touched the shores of Antigua, and nothing was done to deter them from doing it again. In fact, they were let loose to roam about St johns like nothing, some were even given room and board by this administration. Look at the list of the countries that were banned, just look.
It’s all about trust, nothing else, and this administration simple cannot be trusted at this moment. Even Antiguan’s themselves do not trust this administration, and y’all expect the US should?
Yeah right, keep dreaming..the US have too many haters these days, and they simply cannot take any chances.
Can you blame them?
There has been a lot of speculation about the true reasons why Antiguans and Barbudans and Dominicans are now being disallowed visa to the US. Many are questioning the US assertion that it’s about their failure to implement a residency component of their Citizenship By Investment Programe. It simply cannot be that because other OECS countries have CIP Program without any residency component yet they were not singled out Some people are saying that both country’s leaders were the most vocal in their disapproval of the US ongoing military action in the Southern Caribbean against Venezuela and we are now paying a price for their “fast mouths.” Still others speculate as to other possible reasons. Whatever it is, both the citizens of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda are gravely disappointed. Many of our citizens have families and friends in the US and it is usually the preferred place to visit; to vacation, to shop and more. For now, our bubbles bust!
Because you, our ambassador to the US…and Gaston love run your mouth on Trump. Now we see who is the real World Boss!!
Then does this mean that Antigua and Dominica has alot of cracked eggs in their basket?
What does this mean after choksi,the interent scam,CBI,CBI CBI.
Free movement in a country should never be a thing much less selling passports.
The amount of criminal coming here is ridiculous
“In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity,” a phrase often attributed to Albert Einstein, suggests that difficult times force re-evaluation, fostering growth, innovation, and resilience. This perspective encourages viewing setbacks as stepping stones for personal or professional development.
I was already looking which opportunity this crisis would have brought. One that we certainly need is to keep our young people home. Stopping the Brain Drain. This would have been a good opportunity to work on this Caribbean issue. It is so normal for our young people to migrate to North America or Europe. But the USA being the most preferred.
My own children have migrated to my own disappointment. I’m of the firm believe that no matter what our children should remain at home and work to contribute to the advancement of their country of birth. And not just come for Carnival and when their productive years are over. This trend will continue to have our country being run by expats for most of the businesses. Thank God we still control political power and Judicial power. But tell me, don’t they say “money talks”. So the most important power to have is the ‘economical power’. Our economy is mainly in the hands of our Syrian and Lebanese community and thereafter our hotels are in the hands of the North American investors. Leaves us from African descendants to play politics. And boy are we good in that. So much so that we have made an art of it. Backstabbing and hatred is the order of the day. We are soi divided and can not see eye to eye on anything. It is so easy for any outsider to see that we can easily be manage with the divide and rule principle. The USA is master in using that trick on us in the Caribbean. CARICOM cannot even speak with one voice on issues that concerns us all. And as I said, Uncle Sam will ensure that he breaks the unity.
Covid also thought us lessons that we should by have implemented. And that is the Caribbean should feed itself. We should not depend on North America for our food stuff. Surinam, Guyana and Trinidad have enough agricultural land to plant produce that can meet our needs. And with the new found wealth Guyana also can get into agro-processing. Just like in Trinidad, manufacturers can now be given cheap energy. In Antigua your APUA bill will kill any business that needs lots of energy for their input. A hotel e.g. needs lots of electricity. Guest will leave on the lights and tv in their rooms even when they are not there. And many other equipment and the pools need electricity for the pumps and fountains. Supermarkets run so many freezers and are fully airconditioned. Regular offices can at least turn of the lights at 5:00PM and put them on again at 7:00AM. Restaurants will try as much to have outdoor dining. And shops will not leave light on at night time when the store is close. This means the town is some what dark at night.
So we have not learned anything from Covid and therefore it will effect us the same way when America shut us down from importing our produce.
When will CARICOM learn? I don’t know, but I hope someday soon.
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