Four of the five Eastern Caribbean nations offering citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes have found themselves on a new US State Department watchlist.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia are listed in a leaked State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post, which reveals that the Donald Trump Administration is reviewing potential visa bans or other restrictions for nationals of 36 additional countries.
The four Caribbean countries named in the memo have previously defended their CBI programmes as legitimate tools for economic development, with safeguards, including rigorous due diligence.
According to The Post, the memo – signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and circulated to US diplomatic missions over the weekend – gives the listed governments 60 days to meet newly-defined benchmarks. Governments have been given a deadline of 8:00 am next Wednesday to submit an initial action plan outlining how they intend to meet the requirements, according to the Washington Post.
A key concern cited in the memo is the sale of citizenship without a residency requirement. The memo also referenced other issues, such as alleged incidents of “anti-American activity” in the US by nationals of listed countries.
However, the memo also suggests that countries willing to accept third-country nationals removed from the US, or to enter a “safe third country” agreement, could alleviate some of Washington’s concerns.
In addition to the Caribbean nations, the list includes 25 African countries and several from Central Asia and the Pacific. The memo represents a significant expansion of a presidential proclamation issued on June 4, which imposed full travel bans on nationals from 12 countries – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions were also applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela under that order.
The full list of countries facing scrutiny in the new memo is: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Côte d’Ivoire; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.
There has been no official response from the White House so far. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment, saying the agency would not comment on internal deliberations or communications, The Washington Post reported.
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It is sad when one country can determine your economic future. We have no choice but to comply or watch our standard of living get worse. Emancipation? Giving me F—ing break.
I think the Caribbean countries should not accept the US demands to accept the third-country nationals removed from the US into our countries or enter any third- country agreement. This is wicked and only proves that they care nothing about the Caribbean! To remove all these folks’ criminals or not and shove them in our little Caribbean islands? Why are YOU persecuting the Caribbean, Sir? That’s a great evil under the sun, and trust me, God is wide awake…”Judgment is mine I will repay saith Lord.” Romans 12:19.
The Government brushed aside the threats of removing visa waivers from the EU, feeling that not many Antiguan’s travel there. Now the States are threatening I want to see if they still going to be harden and continue the CBI. It is non-sense to continue, because now Antigua is going to lose everything, both revenue from the CBI(since USA and EU restrictions would kill the program) and poor Antiguans would now cannot travel because of the hardship of having to get visas. Well done!! The CBI was always a temporary stream and it has run its course. Stop it now!!! Fight for online gaming since online betting is so big and prevalent in USA now. They cannot hide behind the moral code like they once did when they locked us out.
Gaston clown what plans you have for the suf fering people of antigua who will not be able to travel because of the stupid decision you and your cabinet made just the enrich yourselves and step on the poor and needy of antigua and Barbuda shame on you and the people them that follow you what a disgrace
You all are so focused on the cbi that you fail to see the double standards here. Cancel the cbi but accept other countries deportees, could be worst criminals than the white collar criminals that the cbi attracts. Serial killers, rapists etc etc
@Catherine….Since in the 90s, we never cared about criminals coming into the country as long as they could get on the votiñg list and vote a certain way. So we kept an almost permanent open door policy which exists up to today. The point is, this government never cared about the impact of immigration on our society and livelihood so don’t expect them not to cave to Trump’s demand regardless of consequences.
When the CIP was introduced in Antigua by the UPP. I remembered you had to really invests in Antigua and Barbuda. Then in comes the GBLP and blew that entire thing up.They introduced just selling Passports like sands on the Beaches. Then they reduced the prices on the sales of such Passports. They also lied by saying. The USA was helping to vet those seeking the CIP,Passports.Only to find out something later on, it was a damn lie.A Chinese lady got one of our Passports.She told them the Chinese government was going after her. They still sold her the CIP Passport.Then they tried to take it back from her by revoking Citizenship. The Owner of Fancy Bridge, was given 120 Antigua and Barbuda Passports.He is in Prison in China. What has happened to those Passports? Are they in the hands of criminals?
Stupid people. The USA is a big nasty toilet. What is the obsession? And did you read today’s news? Trump has given instructions to ICE to clamp down even harder. Do you understand that the clampdown is on people who look like us? Do you understand that it is not safe for people who look like us to be in the US at this time? ICE is out of control and snatching anyone, any where and based on how you look. Read Antiguans Read. Understand what is going on in the US. The world has changed under Trump. Antiguans with green cards had better stay put in thr US and keep a low profile. Antiguans with green cards who are in Antigua had better stay in Antigua. Antiguans born there to get the passport had better not travel. All of those categories of persons are having mega problems when they try to enter the US.
This could be of seismic proportions for Antigua and Barbuda and the other islands if implemented. It would affect our travel, our tourism and our economy. Gladly, the US has given us a todo list in order to bring our CIP in conformity with what they expect. We are required to provide and assure a period of residency for anyone seeking our passport. This is a very difficult period but we must comply or we face loads of hardships and problems later on. While US is not the only place to travel and visit, it is the most important and consequential place for Antiguans and Barbudans for a number of reasons.
Read the Statement..If we accept 3rd country then all is forgiven. In other words this is bullying. Antiguans better read and understand and follow what is happening in the US. Brown and black people have no place in the white America. Look at what the statement said: CIP but Grenada is the biggest abuser of CIP and they are not on the list. This is the time for Antiguans and Barbudans who claim to be nationalistic and who claim to be African to come together and understand that we have to stand up and tell the USA where they get off. Former immigrants including Antiguans with US Passports are being hassled at US airports. People with green cards are having them revoked. I say again Wake Up. We are supposedly a proud nation. Are we really?
I’m one of the participants of Antigua and Barbuda Cip program. I declared and proved sources of my wealth and showed a clean criminal record. I also had face to face online meeting with Cip program officials. I’m planning to visit Antigua for a week next autumn to fulfill my obligations. I don’t understand what’s wrong having a second citizenship to be able to travel easily. US or Europe has nothing to gain if they ban Cip passport holders from entering their countries. Immigration problems and safety concerns of mentioned states has much more to do than blocking Cip Passport holders.
What right does the US have to meddle in our business? Who interferes with Trump and all his evil policies of late? So restrict us if you wish. Does Trump the brat even realize how much caribbean nationals put into the economy of the US? What as ass of a President.
Trump is a puppet with the wealthy and Stephen Miller pulling the strings..The real plan is to make America a white country. This campaign is against non-white immigrants. You can see that when he welcomed white Afrkanners from South Africa. We are the wrong colour. The evil beast is America. This has always been so but we clouded our eyes, blinded by the grass apparently being greener over there.
Oh how hypocritical they are! Big bunch of losers who sadly think that they are still relevant in this already changed world.
Who
The
Hell
Cares
???
So the US is allowed to have a CIP, yet the Caribbean cannot…
We have met your benchmarks, but now you set more and have the nerve to tell us that we have 60 days to comply?
American Agencies are one of the Agencies that do background checks for CIP, so if you are telling me that checks are not stringent enough, then what does that say about your Agencies?
They cited that people are using CIP to get passports and easy visa, yet your visa officers are vetting and interviewing these applicants AND APPROVING their applications. What does this say about the training of your visa officers?
You cite visa overstays? Your immigration officials allowed Antiguans in, and while I do not or condone anyone who overstays their visas, perhaps the US should bolster immigration enforcement.
You want countries to accept deportees who are not from their countries. Make it make sense!!! Why on earth would I allow a non-national to be deported to Antigua? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!
The US is just trying to play might is right, and it is wrong on so many levels. All the US needs to do is wheel and come again because they’re just full of it right now.
The CIP program is none of their business at all … that is pur blackmailing, I am Swiss and they did the same with us when we had to give up our banksecracy … it us pure arrogance!
“However, the memo also suggests that countries willing to accept third-country nationals removed from the US, or to enter a “safe third country” agreement, could alleviate some of Washington’s concerns.”
WHAT THE HELL????
These people cannot be f’ing serious!!!
Guys lets accept reality. There is a huge numbers of people that are getting Antigua Passports Under CIP and you don’t see their investment here. But Instead you find them living in USA, Canada, or EU. That’s why USA is concern about CIP. If the amount of people that got passport under CIP still living here, our PIB should be better. Why Canada and EU put restrictions years Ago? Because they found out people from Arab’s countries that are linked to terrorist organizations holding Antigua Passport and they got those passport under CIP. Come on guy open your eyes. Of course things that happens years ago is affecting us now. Is the little Snowball that now is huge and is crushing us. But not only this, Antigua is part of countries that have Cuban’s doctors working here and they are part of a Modern Slavery scheme controlled by Cuba regime. Doctors are not the problem, is the contract they have that violate the International Labor Standards, Remember those doctor are obligated to give more than half of their salary to Cuba Government, also they are prohibited to live with their family while working here, and if they refuse to keep working they are banish to return to Cuba for 8 years. USA in this topic told Antigua if they need doctor just hire them, and pay them full of their salary.
This is bullying and blackmail, why do we have to take rejected immigrants from America, we are not part of America we are a independent sovereign state. All Caricom countries require a visa to enter American territory so are they going to ban nationals from these four countries from entering the USA. Do these leaders have the balls to say to America enough is enough and it is time to f$$*ck off, I doubt as we are too focused on the tourist dollar for survival and our addiction to enter America.
I forgot, regardless of CIP, they are not saying to remove it, they are requesting to improve the security checking background of people applying for that CIP. USA required to provide and assure a period of residency for anyone seeking our passport. And if people really INVEST in ANTIGUA, we should be able to see the Investment here. Because there is people that work as Umbrella, is the only one having a property here, but under that umbrella a person can have over 10 people more. And this is the hole that make people “buy passport” because they just handle X amount of money to one person, that is the main applicant, After they get the passport, they don’t even live here for one month. BUM you find them traveling to Canada, USA or EU. This is the result of years of follow up, isn’t a TODAY issue. TODAY we are facing the consequences of our choices taken years ago. We where naïve and lot of people with other intentions that “invest” here take advantages of us.
@AA. Stop being an idiot. All countries including the US, the UK and Europe all have some form of CIP. But to show the hypocrisy, Grenada is the least compliant CIP country but they are not on the list. So this has nothing to do with CIP or anything else. And in any case they have said if we accept third country deportess everything else is irrelevant. This is just dome countries being targeted to fulfill Trump’s agenda to deport 10 million black and brown people.
The one good thing about this is, Antiguans passport would not be so privilege and prevalent around the globe to the inadequate and inadmissible person’s.
I can never forget in 2017 when we found out who owned the largest dark web marketplace that was responsible so selling anything illegal.It was larger that Silk Road . It turns out that Canadian citizen by the name of Alexandre Crazes was the owner.He was an Antiguan citizen via the CIP program and own a property at Nonsuch Bay.During that same period of time Antiguans could no longer travel to Canada freely.
@Truth Seeker It have to do with CIP, yes. When Canada started to request visa for Antiguans was because this issue also, they found out lot of people linked to terrorist organizations in Canada holding Antigua passport. The investigation conclude loopholes in our CIP programs that make this type of people “buy Antigua passport too easy”. Im not pointer finger to Granada, maybe not of this people was holding Granada passport, but they catch people with Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts passport and they are not even Black. USA are requesting to improve the security checking background of people applying for that CIP and put on place at least a required minimum residence time over here before issue the passport, because is pretty clear those people never lived in Antigua, and you don’t see their investment here.
I don’t approve accept thirds countries citizens deportation to here. But it will be healthy for all sides just to reinforce our CIP program security check background? That’s is their main concern. IF we fix that part we are good to go.
Well when you open your doors to the likes of Allen Sanford and The Indian Bank Robber, what do y’all expect?
Many a criminals have come to the Caribbean and hide out, where in the same time they cannot hide in their own country without being jailed, so they run to the Caribbean where they are accepted with open arms because of their money and many a times because of the color of their skin.
Wasn’t the Crypto kid trying to hide out in Antigua, but ended up in the Bahamas living in a luxury mansion from his loot?
Let’s just face in..Many of these CIP holders come to the Caribbean to hide from their very own authorities one way or the other, that’s just a fact, so let’s just face that for once.
And as much as y’all think that it’s Donald Trump that’s being the wizard behind this new immigration movement, well he’s not.
There is no country in the world that has better intelligence that the US, none, and as much as many will cry cry about the system, it’s the least corrupt judicial system in the world, where they don’t give a crap who you are if you are on the wrong side of the law.
No system is perfect, but at least in a unfair world, I’ll take my chances with the American justice system any day, because at least if you are wrongfully accused, you still have some recourse in suing someone’s arse and win.
There is a reason why the FBI have such a high percentage of won cases, and the very reason why many are hauled back to the US to face their charges, because there is a high probability that a guilty verdict is the outcome.
So I’ll trust the US intelligence any day, and if they said that criminals are obtaining these CIP’s, it’s a high chance that it’s so.
So just comply Gatson, because you’re people have way too much to loose.
The lesser of two evils folks.
And by the way..America has the most to loose here, because they are the most hated country in the world and from what I know, 9/11 was on their soil, so what the hell y’all want them to do?
@Truth Seeker Remember Barack Obama have the highest record of removing Illegals from USA. Over 3 millions Removals. Let just point this and you can check it out by yourself. Also Clinton have a huge score. Trump still sooooo far of those numbers. BUt of course now is more “Drama”