Antigua and Barbuda asks Rubio to reconsider visa measures affecting citizens
Key Points(5)
- The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally requested that the United States review visa restrictions and the Visa Bond Program affecting nationals of the Caribbean nation.
- Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, delivered a diplomatic note on Monday to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting an early review of the measures.
- The move follows a letter from Prime Minister Gaston Browne to US President Donald Trump asking that he direct a review.
- The diplomatic note references the recent publication by the US Department of State of the final rule establishing the permanent Visa Bond Program.
- The program is intended to encourage foreign governments to strengthen cooperation with the United States in areas including information sharing, identity verification, screening and vetting, document security, and compliance with US immigration requirements.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally requested that the United States review visa restrictions and the Visa Bond Program affecting nationals of the Caribbean nation.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, delivered a diplomatic note on Monday to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting an early review of the measures. The move follows a letter from Prime Minister Gaston Browne to US President Donald Trump asking that he direct a review.
The diplomatic note references the recent publication by the US Department of State of the final rule establishing the permanent Visa Bond Program. The program is intended to encourage foreign governments to strengthen cooperation with the United States in areas including information sharing, identity verification, screening and vetting, document security, and compliance with US immigration requirements.
The Antigua and Barbuda government said it has responded positively to those objectives by implementing a series of measures aimed at addressing concerns previously raised by US authorities.
The note argues that the publication of the final rule provides an opportunity for the US Department of State to assess whether those objectives have been substantially achieved in relation to Antigua and Barbuda and whether the country’s continued inclusion in the Visa Bond Program and related visa measures remains necessary.
The government said it is seeking an early review, maintaining that it has taken practical steps to address US concerns and has substantially achieved the objectives outlined by the Department of State.
Prime Minister Browne said the diplomatic note, delivered by Ambassador Sanders, forms part of the government’s continued engagement with the United States.
“Our government has consistently responded in good faith to concerns raised by the United States and has taken practical measures to address them. We believe it is now appropriate for those actions to be recognized through an early review of the restrictions that continue to affect our citizens,” Browne said.
He added that Antigua and Barbuda remains committed to strengthening the longstanding relationship and cooperation between the two countries.
