ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – Dominica government on Monday said it has not received any official communication from the United States that President Donald Trump is considering imposing a travel ban on 36 countries, including Dominica and three other Caribbean islands.

But Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has sent a warning to his countrymen and women that while there is “no cause for panic,” they should not seek to remain illegally in the United States.

“Though we have not received any official communication on this matter, we have been proactive in engaging the US at different levels to ascertain the facts and the actions which are necessary. I assure the people of Dominica that we take the matter seriously, and the government is addressing this through appropriate diplomatic channels,” Prime Minister Skerrit said, adding that Dominicans who are in possession of a US visa and have legitimate reasons to travel to the United States “can do so whether on business, study or vacation”.

“I would suggest to us on this matter wait to hear from the government on its engagement with the US on this issue. We will be transparent with you, open with you on this matter; whatever information we have, we will share it with you, and whatever actions we are taking, we will also share it with you.

“The United States is an important partner for many reasons, agricultural, economic, political on many fronts, and it is a relationship we are very grateful for, and we continue to work on this matter,” he said.

Last week, the US State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, said while she could “speak a little bit about it, not into the detail of what, ”Washington is committed to protecting its citizens “by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process in particular.

“As laid out in President Trump’s Executive Order 14161, ‘Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” the visa adjudication process has got to ensure that US-bound foreign travellers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States. That is, I think a very low bar and is a bar that every nation should be able to adopt,” she said.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post newspaper reported that Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts-Nevis, and St Lucia were listed in a leaked State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and circulated to US diplomatic missions.

The four Caribbean countries named in the memo have previously defended their citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes as legitimate tools for economic development, with safeguards including rigorous due diligence.

Bruce told reporters that to “protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people, the Department of State and other US government agencies assess other countries’ security capabilities, information sharing, and identity management practices; exploitation of the US visa system such as overstay rates; and failure to facilitate the repatriation of their removable nationals.

According to the Washington Post, the memo gives the listed governments 60 days to meet newly defined benchmarks. Governments have been given a deadline of 8:00 am (local time) on Wednesday to submit an initial action plan outlining how they intend to meet the requirements.

A key concern cited in the memo is the sale of citizenship without a residency requirement.

Prime Minister Skerrit told reporters that his administration is committed to “protecting our national interests, the integrity of our international partnerships, and most importantly, the rights and freedoms of the Dominican people.

“We are prepared to address the concerns raised by our international partners through appropriate diplomatic and cooperative means,” he said, adding, “The government will keep the public informed as more information becomes available.

“We remain confident in our institutions, in the strength of our international relations and in our collective ability to resolve any issues that may arise,” he added.

He told reporters that the Ministry of National Security has issued information regarding travel to the United States.

“If you travel to the United States and they give you six months, do not let six months and a day take you in the United States. You can leave before the six months is over, but do not overstay on your visit, “Skerrit said, adding that Washington has also indicated that if Dominicans are present in the United States illegally, “then you should avail yourself to the authorities and they will facilitate your repatriation to Dominica.

“They will pay your way, give you some money to come home, whatever it is… but what I want to say to us in Dominica on this issue, there is no need to be anxious…and that’s why we are engaging the United States.”