The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has taken a further diplomatic step in its efforts to secure a review by the United States of the visa restrictions and Visa Bond Program affecting nationals of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, yesterday delivered a Diplomatic Note to United States Secretary of State, the Honourable Marco Rubio, requesting an early review of the measures. This follows a personal letter from Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne to United States President Donald J. Trump requesting that he direct such a review.
The Diplomatic Note refers to the recent publication by the United States Department of State of the Final Rule establishing the permanent Visa Bond Program that initially affects Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada in the CARICOM area. It points out that the Department has explained that the Program is intended to encourage foreign governments to strengthen cooperation with the United States in areas including information sharing, identity verification, screening and vetting, document security and compliance with United States immigration requirements.
The Note advises Secretary Rubio that Antigua and Barbuda has responded positively and constructively to those objectives by implementing a series of measures to address concerns previously raised by the United States. It submits that the publication of the Final Rule provides an appropriate opportunity for the Department of State to assess whether those objectives have now been substantially achieved in relation to Antigua and Barbuda and whether the country’s continued inclusion in the Visa Bond Program and the related visa measures remains necessary.
The Government has therefore respectfully requested Secretary Rubio to undertake an early review of those measures. The Government believes that having responded positively to the concerns previously expressed by the United States and having substantially achieved the objectives identified by the Department of State in its Final Rule, Antigua and Barbuda’s continued inclusion in the current measures warrants an early review.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that the Diplomatic Note, conveyed by Ambassador Sanders, forms part of the Government’s continuing engagement with the United States at the highest levels.
“Our Government has consistently responded in good faith to concerns raised by the United States and has taken practical measures to address them. We believe it is now appropriate for those actions to be recognised through an early review of the restrictions that continue to affect our citizens. Our objective remains the further strengthening of the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States.”
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Government Requests Secretary Rubio to Review U.S. Visa Restrictions Affecting Antigua and Barbuda.