Antigua and Barbuda asks US to review visa restrictions and Visa Bond Programme

St John’s – The Antigua and Barbuda government has launched a fresh diplomatic effort to persuade the United States to remove the twin-island nation from recently imposed visa restrictions and the newly established U.S. Visa Bond Programme. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has written to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a review of the measures affecting […] The post Antigua & Barbuda wants review of US visa restrictions appeared first on nationnews.com.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The Antigua and Barbuda government has launched a fresh diplomatic effort to persuade the United States (US) to remove the twin-island nation from recently imposed visa restrictions and the newly established US Visa Bond Programme. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has written to US President Donald Trump requesting a review of the measures affecting Antiguan and Barbudan nationals under Presidential Proclamation 10998, related visa restrictions and the permanent Visa Bond Programme. At the same time, Antigua and Barbuda’s embassy in Washington has submitted a diplomatic note to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeking an early review of the country’s continued inclusion in the measures. According to the government, its appeal is based on the US State Department’s own explanation that the Visa Bond Programme is intended to encourage countries to strengthen information sharing, identity verification, document security, immigration compliance and other security measures. The government said Antigua and Barbuda has already implemented significant reforms that address those objectives. Among the measures highlighted are tougher residency requirements under the Citizenship by Investment Programme, biometric cooperation with the US Department of Homeland Security to improve identity verification and screening, continued cooperation with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in accepting nationals removed from the United States, and a willingness to assist with third-country nationals within the country’s capacity. The government also pointed to Antigua and Barbuda’s low visa overstay rate of just over one per cent, noting that no citizen has sought refugee status in the United States. It also highlighted the country’s status as a stable parliamentary democracy and an upper-middle-income economy recognised by the World Bank. In his letter, Browne also emphasised Antigua and Barbuda’s long-standing partnership with the United States, citing cooperation in regional security, intelligence sharing, immigration enforcement, and efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime. The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda has consistently responded to concerns raised by successive US administrations and believes the objectives outlined by the State Department have now been substantially met. As a result, the government is asking Washington to reconsider Antigua and Barbuda’s inclusion in the visa restrictions and Visa Bond Programme. “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 long-standing relationship with the United States and looks forward to continued engagement with the Trump administration on issues of mutual interest and shared security.