(CNW)- The Antigua and Barbuda government has launched a diplomatic push to persuade the United States to remove the twin-island nation from recently imposed visa restrictions and the newly established US Visa Bond Program.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has written to US President Donald Trump requesting a review of measures affecting Antiguan and Barbudan nationals under Presidential Proclamation 10998, related visa restrictions and the permanent Visa Bond Program.
At the same time, Antigua and Barbuda’s embassy in Washington submitted a diplomatic note to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeking an early review of the country’s continued inclusion in the measures.
The government said its appeal is based on the US State Department’s stated objectives for the Visa Bond Program, which include encouraging countries to improve information sharing, identity verification, document security, immigration compliance and other security-related measures.
According to officials, Antigua and Barbuda has already implemented reforms that address those concerns.
Among the measures highlighted are strengthened residency requirements under the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, biometric cooperation with the US Department of Homeland Security to improve identity verification and screening, continued collaboration with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in accepting nationals removed from the United States, and a willingness to assist with third-country nationals where capacity allows.
The government also pointed to Antigua and Barbuda’s low visa overstay rate of just over 1 per cent, while noting that no citizen has sought refugee status in the United States.
Officials further emphasized the country’s status as a stable parliamentary democracy and an upper-middle-income economy recognised by the World Bank.
In his letter, Browne highlighted the long-standing relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States, citing cooperation in regional security, intelligence sharing, immigration enforcement, counter-narcotics efforts and the fight against transnational organised crime.
The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda has consistently addressed concerns raised by successive US administrations and believes the objectives outlined by the State Department have been substantially met.
“The government’s objective is not confrontation,” Browne said. “It is to ensure that decisions affecting the people of Antigua and Barbuda are based upon accurate information and upon the substantial steps our country has taken in close cooperation with the United States to address every legitimate concern that has been raised. We believe the time is now right for a review.”
The government said it remains committed to strengthening its relationship with Washington and looks forward to continued engagement with the Trump administration on matters of mutual interest and shared security.
