The St. Kitts-Nevis government says it has received no official communication from the United States regarding a travel ban on the twin-island Federation amid international media reports that the Donald Trump administration is reviewing potential visa bans or other restrictions for nationals of 36 countries, including four in the Caribbean.
In a statement, Basseterre said it has taken note of reports now circulating on various platforms suggesting that Washington “has imposed or is preparing to impose” a travel ban that includes the twin-island Federation, “and which may affect the ability of our citizens to enter the United States.
“While we understand the concerns that such reports may naturally generate, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis wishes to make it absolutely clear that no official correspondence or communication has been received from the United States Government, whether through our Embassy, Consular representatives, or any other channel, indicating the existence or impending issuance of any such travel ban or restriction that targets St. Kitts and Nevis or the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The government said that it takes “any and all indications of potential threats to the rights and mobility of our citizens seriously” and that although no formal notice has been issued or received, “the mere circulation of such a report is concerning enough."
“As such, the Government is actively engaging its diplomatic and international partners to determine the source, credibility, and veracity of the claims now in circulation. The protection of our citizens, at home and abroad, is a top priority. We are committed to maintaining strong and respectful relations with the United States and all our international partners.
“We urge all to rely on official government channels for accurate and timely information,” it said.
Over the last weekend, the Washington Post newspaper reported that Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts-Nevis, and St. Lucia were listed in a leaked State Department memo signed by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and circulated to US diplomatic missions.
The four Caribbean countries named in the memo have previously defended their citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes as legitimate tools for economic development, with safeguards including rigorous due diligence.
Under the CBI programme, foreign investors are granted citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.
Earlier this week, The Antigua and Barbuda government defended its CBI programme with Foreign Affairs Minister, E. P Chet Greene, saying St. John’s will be ‘fighting like hell’ to defend the CBI programme.
“They want to impose travel restrictions on us; for what reason, God only knows. We will not be bullied; our foreign policy is one of principle,” he said, adding that the CBI programme brings much benefits to Antigua and Barbuda and that it is operated with integrity.
St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre has also indicated that his country has received no formal statement from Washington on the issue.
“ I want to make it absolutely clear that the government of St. Lucia has received no official correspondence on this matter,” Pierre said in a statement on his Facebook page.
“As we act in the best interest of the people of St. Lucia, I reassure you that we are in active discussions with the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, officials from our Ministry of External Affairs, and the Embassy of St. Lucia to the United States in Washington, D.C.
“Once the necessary and accurate information is conveyed through official diplomatic channels, the nation will be officially addressed,” Pierre added.
According to the Washington Post, the memo gives the listed governments 60 days to meet newly defined benchmarks. Governments have been given a deadline of 8.00 am (local time) on Wednesday to submit an initial action plan outlining how they intend to meet the requirements.
A key concern cited in the memo is the sale of citizenship without a residency requirement. The memo also referenced other issues, such as alleged incidents of “anti-American activity” in the US by nationals of listed countries.
However, the memo also suggests that countries willing to accept third-country nationals removed from the US, or to enter a “safe third country” agreement, could alleviate some of Washington’s concerns.
In addition to the Caribbean nations, the list includes 25 African countries and several from Central Asia and the Pacific.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jun 18, CMC –
CMC/lf/ir/2025