ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says he believes that “a case of mis-communication” could have led to the decision by the United States (US) Government to impose travel restrictions on Dominicans entering the North American country.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday included the island and two other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries whose nationals would either be “fully” restricted or have limited entry into the United States. The measure goes into effect from January 1, next year.

Trump said that in the case of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, the two Carciom countries have historically had Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes without residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.

Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have “historically had CBI without residency” and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other non-immigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica to the extent permitted by law.

Speaking on the state-owned DBS Radio, Skerrit said Dominica has had fruitful discussions with the United States on the CBI programme, implementing measures agreed to during their discussions.

“It could very well be a situation of mis-communication between the White House and other arms of the government, the State Department and the US Treasury,” Skerrit said with reference to the latest move by Washington.

“I must say that the US itself was the most engaging and most supportive in respect to the review of the…(CBI) legislation. So we will continue to work on this and we will send formal notes to the United States Government today seeking clarification on this matter and urging a review…of the decision. I think if the reason given by the White House is that there is no residency requirement, then that has already been addressed with the support of the United States Government. So it could very well be a situation of mis-communication…but I don’t want to speculate,” he added.

Skerrit said he will be awaiting “accurate information” from Washington and that “will be the first order of business”.

“Once that is done, we will respond to it formally and of course as always we will keep the Dominican public fully informed and apprised of the developments as they come,” he said, urging citizens to remain “calm” as the Government focuses on what is to be done in the circumstances.

Skerrit said he had met with US officials last week “and they were very pleased with what we have done, not only on this matter, but matters we have been working with the United States Government on over the last eight months or so”.

”So this was really a surprise to us coming from the White House yesterday. But I am confident if that is the reason then we should be able to address it and if there are any other reasons that they may have…I am sure we can negotiate ourselves out of a challenge. At this stage, I ask all of us to be calm and not allow our consternation to take over us and from a government standpoint, we will work through the issue with the United States Government,” he said.

Skerrit spoke of the importance of the CBI programme to Dominica, saying that it has played a significant role in the socio-economic development of the island, particularly after natural disasters.

“The CBI has been going through its own challenges for a number of years and this is not anything new and everybody knows of the importance of the CBI programme to the well being of all of the countries that are part of the CBI programme. Developed countries have engaged in their programme…whether it is residence programmes or…whatever. When you look at Dominica and its vulnerability to natural disasters and external shocks, had it not been for the CBI programme, we would not have been able to build so many homes…and able to respond to the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Erica and Hurricane Maria and COVID-19,” Skerrit said.

He said that the CBI has also provided funding for a number of infrastructural programmes including hotels and the international airport now under construction.

Skerrit said that this is why Dominica has been working with the United States to iron out differences over the CBI programme including legislation passed in October this year.

He further said he does not believe that the latest Washington move will affect the ongoing relationship between the two countries, noting that his administration has enjoyed a closer working relationship with the Trump administration than that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, as well as an increase in spending by Washington on Dominica’s national security concerns.

“So the relationship in my mind between Dominica and the Trump administration has been very very good…at all levels and so I don’t see it as affecting the relationship,” Skerrit said, noting that both countries are sovereign states and are seeking after their own interests.

“In that case we believe they got it wrong and we are hoping that they recognise that they got it wrong and that they will reverse the decision in respect to the imposition on Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda,” he said, confirming that he is in contact with his Antigua and Barbudan counterpart, Gaston Browne on the issue.