ROSEAU, Dominica – The Dominican government has initiated urgent diplomatic communications with United States authorities following President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing partial travel restrictions on its nationals. The December 16, 2025 proclamation, which becomes effective January 1, 2026, also targets citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti.
In an official statement released Tuesday night, Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy acknowledged the White House announcement while emphasizing its commitment to addressing concerns among Dominican citizens. The Roosevelt Skerrit administration has engaged US Embassy officials in Bridgetown, Barbados to obtain detailed clarification regarding the scope, rationale, and specific implications for Dominican travelers, students, and visa holders.
President Trump’s executive order reinstates immigration policies from his first administration, citing national security concerns. The proclamation specifically identifies Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs—which Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda operate—as creating vetting vulnerabilities. These programs grant citizenship to foreign investors without residency requirements, which US authorities claim enables individuals to conceal identities and evade travel restrictions.
The Trump administration asserts that the measures are necessary to protect national security against potential terrorists, public safety threats, and those who might exploit immigration laws for malevolent purposes. The order suspends entry for immigrants and non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas from the affected Caribbean nations.
Dominican officials have pledged continued cooperation with US authorities to address identified issues while protecting the interests of Dominican citizens. The government has committed to providing regular public updates as additional information becomes available.