In a significant foreign policy development, the Trump administration has expanded its controversial travel restriction list to include two Caribbean nations—Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. The December 16 proclamation marks these countries as requiring full or partial entry limitations due to their citizenship-by-investment programs that historically lacked residency requirements.
The updated list now places these island nations alongside countries including Afghanistan, Congo, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. This classification has raised eyebrows among policy analysts and regional experts, given the substantial differences in security profiles between these Caribbean democracies and the other listed nations.
Both Antigua and Dominica had recently engaged in productive dialogues with multiple U.S. departments regarding enhanced citizenship program safeguards. Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed ongoing discussions about strengthening investment citizenship protocols, while Dominican officials noted recent U.S. support for their legislative reviews. The abrupt announcement consequently caught both governments unprepared.
Statistical data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reveals minimal justification for the restrictions based on immigration concerns. As of November 2024, only 110 individuals from Antigua and Barbuda appeared on the non-citizen removal list out of 1.45 million entries, with Dominica accounting for merely 104. Overstay rates for 2024 stood at 1.3% for Antigua and 4.3% for Dominica—figures that pale in comparison to many non-restricted countries.
The proclamation text suggests geopolitical motivations, stating restrictions are “country-specific to encourage cooperation.” Analysts speculate the administration may be leveraging travel policies to secure maritime cooperation crucial to U.S. maneuvers regarding Venezuela, or to pressure other Caribbean nations with similar citizenship programs including Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia.
This development reflects the continued implementation of President Trump’s distinctive approach to international relations, where immigration tools serve broader strategic objectives beyond conventional border security concerns.