Dominica thanks US for suspending proclamation restricting entry of its nationals

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Friday welcomed a decision by the United States of America to suspend a proclamation that would have restricted Dominicans from entering the U.S. beginning January 1, 2026.

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Speaking on state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit said the suspension followed discussions with U.S. officials at the American embassy in Barbados and with the United States Department of State in Washington.

“I would like to thank the United States government itself for understanding the situation and agreeing to set aside for the time being the proclamation…and so this is good news. The anxieties that we all would have should be set aside,” Skerrit said, adding that Roseau looks forward to continuing the strong relationship it has historically enjoyed with Washington.

The proclamation, announced earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump, would have affected nationals of Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Haiti under revised U.S. immigration restrictions.

Trump said the measures were linked to concerns about Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes that allow foreign nationals to obtain citizenship without residency requirements, which he argued complicate screening and vetting processes. Under such programmes, several Caribbean countries, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, grant citizenship in exchange for significant investment in national development.

In the executive order, Trump said Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have “historically had CBI without residency” and announced the suspension of entry into the U.S. for their nationals as immigrants and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. The order also directed U.S. consular officers to reduce the validity of other nonimmigrant visas issued to nationals of the two countries “to the extent permitted by law.”

The proclamation further argued that CBI programmes have been susceptible to abuse, allowing individuals to conceal identities or assets to evade travel, financial or banking restrictions.

Skerrit said his administration remains prepared to continue working with the United States on any outstanding concerns.

“We are prepared to continue working with the U.S. on whatever issues they may have, moving forward together as partners,” he said.

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He also confirmed that Dominicans who already hold valid visas “of any kind” will be able to travel to the United States beyond January 1, 2026. Skerrit said additional details on the suspension of the proclamation will be provided in due course.

Earlier, the Antigua and Barbuda government announced that a similar suspension had been granted to its nationals. Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Ronald Sanders, said existing visas would remain valid across all categories.

“This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,” Sanders said, noting that “for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.”

He added that there would be no revocation of visas issued to Antiguan and Barbudan nationals prior to December 31, 2025. New visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026, he said, will be subject to revised arrangements still being finalised with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, particularly around enhanced biometric data collection to align with U.S. systems.