The Dominican government says it has not received any official communication from the United States regarding reports that the Trump administration is considering a travel ban affecting 36 countries, including Dominica and three other Caribbean nations.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the issue on Monday, urging citizens to remain calm but not to abuse their U.S. visa privileges.
“Though we have not received any official communication on this matter, we have been proactive in engaging the US at different levels to ascertain the facts and the actions which are necessary,” Skerrit said. “I assure the people of Dominica that we take the matter seriously, and the government is addressing this through appropriate diplomatic channels.”
Skerrit emphasized that Dominicans with valid U.S. visas can still travel for business, study, or vacation. However, he warned against illegal stays.
“If you travel to the United States and they give you six months, do not let six months and a day take you in the United States. You can leave before the six months is over, but do not overstay on your visit,” the Prime Minister said.
He confirmed that U.S. authorities have informed Dominica that individuals staying in the U.S. illegally should come forward to immigration officials, who would arrange repatriation, including covering travel expenses.
The issue arose after The Washington Post reported that Dominica, along with Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, was named in a leaked State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo allegedly calls for new security benchmarks and gives the listed countries 60 days to submit action plans, with an initial deadline set for Wednesday morning.
At a recent media briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said she could not provide full details but reiterated that the U.S. is committed to protecting its citizens through strict visa policies.
“As laid out in President Trump’s Executive Order 14161, ‘Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,’ the visa adjudication process has got to ensure that US-bound foreign travellers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States,” Bruce said.
The memo reportedly expresses concern over Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes, particularly the sale of citizenship without residency requirements. The four named countries have previously defended these programmes as legitimate economic development tools with strong due diligence safeguards.
Prime Minister Skerrit maintained that Dominica remains committed to its international partnerships and to addressing any concerns raised.
“We are prepared to address the concerns raised by our international partners through appropriate diplomatic and cooperative means,” he said. “We remain confident in our institutions, in the strength of our international relations and in our collective ability to resolve any issues that may arise.”
Skerrit assured the public that the government would be “transparent” in sharing updates.
“We will be transparent with you, open with you on this matter; whatever information we have, we will share it with you, and whatever actions we are taking, we will also share it with you,” he said. “There is no need to be anxious…and that’s why we are engaging the United States.”
