(UNITED STATES) The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, known as the OECS, said it stands “in full solidarity” with Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica after President Trump moved to sharply limit U.S. visas for their citizens. The step raised fears the measures could hit tourism, study plans, and family visits.
The statement followed Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued on December 16, 2025, which the White House said will take effect January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST. Under the order, many travelers who once used short-stay visas would face a closed door unless new terms are agreed in time.
What the proclamation does
- The proclamation suspends entry for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica as both immigrants and nonimmigrants in specific categories.
- Affected visa categories include:
- B-1, B-2, and combined B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- F and M student visas
- J exchange visas
These bans mean people with relatives in the United States might miss weddings, medical care, or school start dates, even in cases that consular officers would typically decide case by case. The proclamation text provided does not describe changes to other visa types.
Important deadline: January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST — the tight timeline left airlines, campuses, and affected families scrambling for answers.
Rationale given by the U.S. government
President Trump pointed to each country’s citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, which offer nationality in return for investment. In the proclamation he said both countries “historically had CBI without residency,” referring to programs where applicants may not be required to live on the islands before gaining citizenship.
U.S. officials have expressed concern that weak screening in passport programs can be used by people trying to dodge travel limits. The proclamation frames the restrictions as part of border security policy, not necessarily as a bilateral dispute with the Caribbean — though the timing surprised families planning holiday trips and reunions.
OECS response and diplomatic context
The OECS Commission acknowledged the United States’ sovereign right to set and enforce immigration and border rules. At the same time it urged Washington to weigh the decision against what it called the “historically close relationship” between the Caribbean and the United States, built on:
- shared democratic values
- people-to-people ties
- years of economic, cultural, and security cooperation
The Commission argued that any remedy should be proportional and reached through talks, not one-way action, noting the small states’ limited fiscal space and their vulnerability to sudden travel shocks.
Economic and social ties at stake
The Commission emphasized the bilateral links that run both ways:
- The United States remains a principal trading partner, investor, tourism source market, and development partner for OECS member states.
- For Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, U.S. visitor flows support:
- hotels
- taxis
- small shops
Diplomats warned a wide visa stop could also slow business travel, training programs, and academic exchanges — all of which contribute to local growth and disaster recovery capacity after storms.
Developments after talks with Washington
- On December 19, 2025, Antigua and Barbuda announced an agreement that softened the immediate blow.
- Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States, said nationals who already hold valid visas will still be allowed to enter.
- He added: “no existing visas issued prior to December 31, 2025 will be revoked.”
This assurance matters for students already admitted to U.S. schools and for families who saved for trips months ahead. However, it does not settle what happens to new applications filed after January 1, 2026. Sanders said new rules are still being worked out with Caribbean countries.
For Dominica, no parallel deal was described in the OECS note, leaving many prospective travelers waiting to see whether similar carve-outs would be offered.
Practical questions and guidance
The U.S. government has not, in the provided material, spelled out how consulates will treat pending cases caught between the December 16 order and the January 1 start date. Applicants generally track rules and appointment updates through official channels such as the U.S. Department of State’s visa information page at travel.state.gov.
- Airlines and universities said privately that clear guidance is needed quickly.
- VisaVerge.com reports that even short pauses can create long backlogs at consulates abroad.
The role and controversy of CBI programs
Citizenship-by-investment programs have been a lifeline for some Eastern Caribbean governments where economies are narrow and hurricanes can wipe out a season’s income.
- Supporters’ view:
- CBI funds help pay for roads, hospitals, and climate repairs.
- Critics’ view:
- Programs can draw fraud if checks are weak.
- The proclamation ties visa limits to fears that passports gained without residency could allow third-country nationals to mask their true travel history.
The OECS did not reject security goals outright but asked for “dialogue, proportionality, and shared responsibility” rather than blanket blocks. Both sides expressed a desire for a workable fix soon.
Impact on travelers and communities
Travel agents in the Caribbean reported an immediate spike in inquiries after the proclamation became public, especially from:
- parents worried about children starting U.S. programs on F or M visas
- pastors and sports teams that often use B-1/B-2 visas for short trips
Because the order also covers immigrant entry, families in mixed-status households fear longer separations if relatives cannot travel for interviews or final entry steps. The source material does not name individual travelers affected, but the pattern is familiar: sudden rule shifts can turn plane tickets and tuition deposits into sunk costs overnight, with ripple effects across local economies.
Current diplomatic posture and outlook
Officials across the OECS region have tried to keep the dispute from spilling into wider relations, stressing cooperation on security and migration management even as they press for relief.
- The Commission’s message was careful:
- It backed Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica,
- While affirming Washington’s right to act — a stance meant to keep talks open.
For people caught in the middle, Sanders’ promise on existing visas offers short-term breathing room. Nonetheless, uncertainty remains over new cases from January 1, 2026 onward. Any new arrangement, he said, is still being shaped with Caribbean partners. Until then, travelers are urged to check rules day by day.
The OECS is supporting Antigua, Barbuda, and Dominica after the U.S. announced visa suspensions effective January 2026. The policy targets travelers on B, F, M, and J visas due to concerns over Citizenship-by-Investment programs. While existing visa holders from Antigua and Barbuda are currently protected from revocation, new applicants face significant uncertainty. Regional diplomats are urging the U.S. to choose dialogue over unilateral restrictions.
