Durrant Pate/Contributor

The bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has noted with concern the December 16 proclamation issued by the United States, imposing partial entry restrictions on nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The announcement of the restrictions last week is creating a stir and divisions within the regional bloc, with Trinidad and Tobago siding with the Americans over their CARICOM partners.

In a statement on the matter of its just-concluded meetings, the bureau says it “recognises the right of countries to implement policies regulating entry to their borders”.

“Nevertheless, the Bureau expresses concern that this decision was taken without prior consultation, especially in circumstances of its potential adverse effects on legitimate travel, people-to-people exchanges, and the social and economic well-being of these small states.”

According to the Bureau, “CARICOM is also concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the status of existing visas after January 1, 2026. The bureau urges an early engagement by the United States with the governments of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica to clarify the proclamation and address outstanding concerns, consistent with the strong and longstanding partnership between the United States of America and CARICOM.”

President Donald Trump, in signing the proclamation, cited concerns over screening, vetting and citizenship by investment programmes by the two CARICOM states. Antigua and Barbuda and  Dominica have historically offered citizenship by investment without residency, which US authorities say creates vulnerabilities in identity verification and vetting.  Arising from the proclamation, consular officers have been directed to reduce the validity of other non-immigrant visas issued to nationals of these two states, where permitted by law.

The travel restrictions form part of a wider expansion and modification of earlier bans introduced during Trump’s first administration and reinstated in 2025.

The White House said the policy is intended to protect U.S. national security and public safety by limiting entry from countries with deficient civil documentation, unreliable criminal records, high visa overstay rates or weak information-sharing practices.