Saint Lucia’s government is seeking clarity from the U.S. regarding possible travel restrictions, following a New York Times report placing it on a “yellow” list of nations. This list includes other Caribbean countries whose Citizens by Investment programs are under scrutiny. Their governments are engaged with U.S. officials to address these concerns.
The Government of Saint Lucia is actively seeking clarification from the United States concerning potential travel restrictions, following reports from the New York Times. The report indicates that Saint Lucia is included in a “yellow” category of 22 nations that may face travel limitations within 60 days if deficiencies are not addressed. The travel restrictions are part of a draft list developed by the State Department and may evolve before reaching the White House.
In its official statement, Saint Lucia’s government emphasized that they had not received formal communication from the U.S. regarding these restrictions. They also acknowledged their strong partnership with the U.S., stating, “The USA is a friend of Saint Lucia and remains a key partner in Saint Lucia’s development. We look forward to an even stronger relationship between our two countries.” The government pledged to provide further updates as information becomes available.
Other Caribbean countries, such as St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, are also reported to be on the “yellow” list and are seeking clarity about the proposed travel restrictions. The New York Times suggested that factors contributing to this classification might include inadequate passport security practices or insufficient information sharing about travelers.
Both St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda highlighted their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs while addressing their engagement with U.S. authorities. St Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation and adherence to best practices in CBI, noting open dialogues with U.S. officials since August 2022. Antigua and Barbuda also assured that its CBI program does not accept applicants from nations on the U.S. banned list, ensuring robust vetting processes are in place.
In summary, the Government of Saint Lucia is seeking clarification from the United States regarding potential travel restrictions that may impact a number of Caribbean nations. The concerns arise from a report detailing a draft list categorizing countries based on security practices. Alongside Saint Lucia, other nations such as St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda are also involved, reinforcing their commitment to international standards in their citizenship programs.
Original Source: stluciatimes.com
