CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Foreign Minister Warns Students to Be Cautious as U.S. Pauses Visa Processing and Adds Social Media Checks
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene is urging Antiguan and Barbudan students to exercise caution and responsibility on social media as the United States government implements a pause on new student visa appointments and expands its screening processes to include applicants’ online activity.
Speaking on WTP in response to the U.S. policy change, Greene called the announcement—paired with recent U.S. immigration enforcement updates—a “very challenging” development for Antigua and Barbuda and the wider region.
“Thank God for UWI,” he said, referencing the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus. “Once again, the investment we made in bringing UWI to Antigua and Barbuda shows good thinking, vision, leadership, and a demonstration of a protection of the interests of our people.”
While acknowledging that not every student will—or should—stay home for higher education, Greene warned that the visa pause comes with deeper implications.
He said the U.S. government is now conducting social media screenings as part of its student visa review process, with reports that several students’ visas at institutions such as Harvard have already been revoked.
“Your conduct, your very presence and position on social media… is now something that can be used against you,” Greene stated. “No longer can it be just treated as a flippant space where you talk as you like and say what you choose.”
The minister added that social media checks would not remain limited to student visas. He said the U.S. is moving toward incorporating such vetting in all visa categories—both immigrant and non-immigrant.
“We want our students to have a rounded view and opportunities in global universities,” Greene said, “but we must also prepare them for the evolving realities of U.S. policy.”
Greene pointed to political factors in the United States, particularly the hardline immigration stance of President Donald Trump, as driving the tightening of visa regulations.
“He was elected overwhelmingly, which means that there’s a buy-in on the part of the American public,” Greene remarked. “And so he feels obligated to carry through on the platform on which he came to office.”
The Foreign Minister encouraged students who had not yet applied for U.S. visas to consider alternatives, particularly the local UWI campus, given the possibility that demand may rise as students from other countries also seek new study options.
“We cannot fight this,” Greene concluded. “What we must do is be prepared and ensure our young people do not fall afoul of policies that are entirely out of our control.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Yes folks, this is how Dictators work, they don’t like when you say anything bad about them. I guess Greene should know something about that, because he work under the biggest one of them all.
Trump and the Browne Boi definitely have something in common, they don’t like freedom of speech.
If you are a terrible leader, you’re just a terrible leader..no need to bully people because they speak out against you.
Sad state of affairs indeed with these so-called leaders we elected.
Oh! Just shut up, when people come here and from all over and fall afoul of our policies you and wanna be dictator boss reward them by way of amnesty and other ways. Bullshitter you
Minister Greene is absolutely right. We must protect our international reputation and follow the rules when travelling abroad.
My question are : How will this affect students already accepted by U.S. schools? Is there a support plan for them?
This warning comes too late—what has the Ministry done to support students through this visa process? hmm
This situation highlights the need for more regional collaboration on education and immigration matters.
If we want our young people to have opportunities in the US, we can’t afford to abuse the system. This is about accountability.
I can bet that there’s more to come. This is such an unfortunate occurrence but perhaps it is an opportunity for more “friendlier”places like Canada and the UK to pick up the slack. The United States foreign policy has really tilted.
. What standard do UWI Antigua measure up too? Are Antiguan Ministers of Government sending their children to UWI Antigua?
Go China, Canada and England to study if America don’t want you.
@monique jnobaptiste: so why when people come to Antigua and run afoul of our immigration laws they are always rewarded with amnesty, just answer that unless you might be one of them, stiff laws must be put in place and people who violate them must suffer the penalty wherever it happens, only here it’s rewarded and we know why
@Audley Phillip May 28, 2025 At 8:09 am
Why don’t you see it a an opportunity for our student to finally look at universities right here in the region. Like our very own UWI. Which is listed among the top 1.5% of Universities in the World.
https://www.google.com/search?q=where+does+uwi+rank+in+the+world&rlz=1C1KNTJ_enAG1079AG1080&oq=where+is+UWI+ranked&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTINCAIQABiGAxiABBiKBTINCAMQABiGAxiABBiKBTIKCAQQABiABBiiBDIKCAUQABiABBiiBNIBCjE1NjA4ajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBaSChaOWWlPH&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
We always seem to reject our own and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars only to be able to claim we have a degree from this university or that university.
I hope the PM limit his scholarship funds to only univesirties in the region.
Paying all these monies to North America and Europe is a huge capital flight from our already limtied Foreign Exhange. And earning these US$ is not cheap. Look at the amount of money we have to spend to promote our country to bring in tourists. We had a golden goose, the online gaming industry, which the USA killed. Now they want to kill the other golden goose, CIP. Not to mention that almost all our food comes from North America.
Audley sometimes I really wonder if you think before you write. The PM had to put you to shame the other day. But it seems like you just don’t learn. Do you just write for writing sake?
Anyway Trump does what is good for America. I can only wish the rest of the world start doing the same.
Listen….it’s clear that they don’t want you in their country! Universities are minting international student tuition fees where we pay more than double what a citizen pays for the same degree. My social media posts are my business and no one is going to tell me what I can and cannot post. I can post whatever the hell I want.
Why get harassed?? Go to universities locally and regionally and save your money or go online.
The US is just alienating themselves and only they will pay for their foolishness. They put the orange baboon there so they must suffer for it. America has gotten left behind as they sadly think that the world revolves around them. They are no longer relevant and they are just bitter about it.
Hon Ministet Greene is roghtMessage is clear to all. Keep your opinions to yourself. Free speach? Does it still exists? Be warned. I too havevdaid thibgs that Ibfeel need saying.
US Border control will keep you for long petoods while they check your phone and social media posts. I no longer travel to USA.
Go back to your social media posts and delete. It may be too late since Border Control may well have AI access histoical posts.
Same at home. Careful what you say and write.
Guys calm down and check this situation carefully.
WHy US pause student Visas?
1-. Student Visa is a privilege to go to US to STUDY…Just STUDY. If you show potential, some companies will offer you a job and Green Card to stay and work IF YOU WANTED.. Nobody obligate you to stay in US.
2-. Student are not US Citizens. They are foreigner with a VISA. You don’t have the rights as regular US citizens. And this is the point most people miss. You cant go to another country and do wherever you want. Is not your country. If you disagree with this, then go back to your country.
3-. USA don’t obligate nobody in the world to go to spend their money in US Universities. You choose go over there. There is thousand of Universities around the world that you can take part of it.
4-. PURE COMMON SENSE. If you Hate USA, Why you want to go there in first place. That’s is ridiculous, and that is why they are checking Social Medias. If you Support movement against USA, you hate USA, you are from a communist’s society, you promote things against USA. Then Why you want to go to USA to live and spend your money that most cases is a dam Loan?
I never will force others what to do or not in their homes, same way i dont want nobody to tell me what to do and how to manage mine.
Comments are closed.