Four Eastern Caribbean countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia—have been placed on a U.S. State Department watchlist for possible visa restrictions, according to a leaked memo reported by The Washington Post.
The confidential document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and circulated to U.S. diplomatic missions over the weekend, lists a total of 36 countries whose immigration and citizenship-by-investment (CBI) policies are now under review. The memo signals the Trump administration’s intent to impose visa bans or other travel restrictions on nations that do not meet new security benchmarks.
The Caribbean nations singled out operate longstanding CBI programs, which allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship in exchange for economic investment. These governments have defended their programs as legitimate development strategies that include rigorous background checks and national security screenings.
However, the memo cites concerns over the sale of citizenship without residency requirements, a practice the U.S. views as potentially undermining its own immigration laws. The document also references alleged “anti-American activity” by citizens from the listed countries as a point of concern.
Governments on the list have been given 60 days to comply with new criteria set by the U.S. An initial action plan, outlining how each country will meet the benchmarks, must be submitted by next Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.
The State Department communication offers room for negotiation. It notes that countries willing to accept deported individuals from the U.S. or enter into “safe third country” agreements could potentially avoid harsher penalties.
The memo’s release comes amid a broader tightening of U.S. immigration policy. On June 4, a presidential proclamation imposed full travel bans on 12 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia, while issuing partial restrictions on seven others.
In addition to the Caribbean states, the new watchlist includes 25 African countries, as well as several from Central Asia and the Pacific. Among them are Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Vanuatu.
The White House has yet to issue a formal response to the memo. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment, citing the agency’s policy of not discussing internal communications.
This development highlights the growing complexity of immigration policies globally and raises questions about the future of investment-based citizenship programs in the face of tightening U.S. scrutiny.
Related topics:
- Apartment Rent in Singapore: 2025 Full Guide
- Russia, Myanmar Discuss Mutual Visa-Free Travel Deal
- US and Caribbean Nations Collaborate on Citizenship by Investment Reforms Amid Rising Security Concerns
