Leaders in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have issued statements in response to the Trump administration's expanded travel ban this week.
Announced on Tuesday, the expansion bans travelers from five additional countries and imposes partial restrictions or entry limitations on travelers from 15 new countries, including a pair of Caribbean destinations, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.
The new restrictions would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said island officials are "deeply disappointed that Antigua and Barbuda has been included in this proclamation on the stated ground that our Citizenship by Investment Program has historically operated without a residency requirement."
According to Browne, the country "engaged in good faith" with multiple U.S. departments to strengthen CBI safeguards in recent months. The government plans to reach out to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to offer its "full engagement and cooperation" to "address any concerns" and restore normal visa access.
It's worth noting that Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia operate similar CBI programs but were not included in the expanded ban.
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit hinted that his country's addition to the ban may have been a "miscommunication" and vowed to reach out to U.S. officials.
Like Browne, Skerrit told state-owned DBS Radio that Dominica has had productive talks with the U.S. regarding its CBI program.
"It could very well be a situation of miscommunication between the White House and other arms of the government, the State Department and the U.S. Treasury," said Skerrit.
"I must say that the U.S. itself was the most engaging and most supportive in respect to the review of the (CBI) legislation. So we will continue to work on this, and we will send formal notes to the U.S. government today seeking clarification on this matter and urging a review of the decision."
"I think if the reason given by the White House is that there is no residency requirement, then that has already been addressed with the support of the United States Government," he added. "So it could very well be a situation of miscommunication, but I don’t want to speculate."
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