The United Progressive Party (UPP) has characterized recent US-imposed visa restrictions on Dominican nationals as a catastrophic failure of governance, accusing the administration of jeopardizing national security through inadequate management of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.
In a strongly-worded declaration, the opposition party asserted that President Donald Trump’s suspension of immigrant entry and restrictions on B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas directly resulted from governmental negligence. The UPP maintains that despite official assurances of rigorous screening protocols, the administration prioritized economic gains over effective due diligence, ultimately compelling American authorities to designate Dominican passports as security liabilities.
According to the party’s analysis, the repercussions extend far beyond diplomatic spheres, creating tangible hardships for citizens across multiple sectors. Students confront disrupted academic trajectories in American institutions, families experience heightened barriers to reunification, and business professionals face constrained international mobility. The UPP further warned that Dominica’s regional standing within the Caribbean community has been significantly compromised, potentially affecting future cooperation and economic opportunities.
Characterizing the situation as a generational crisis, the opposition outlined a comprehensive recovery plan demanding full transparency regarding CBI program failures, immediate collaboration with US authorities to address security concerns, and substantial reforms to align vetting procedures with international standards. The party additionally called for establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate the program’s management and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The UPP concluded that only through fundamentally reformed leadership committed to integrity could Dominica restore its international reputation, emphasizing that the nation’s future depends on urgent governmental accountability.