Dominican Republic and St. Lucia Among 41 Countries Facing Possible U.S. Travel Restrictions

In a move reminiscent of the 2017 travel bans, the Trump administration is contemplating new travel restrictions that could affect citizens from 41 countries, among them the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia. An internal memo obtained by Reuters outlines a proposal for varying levels of visa suspensions, pending approval from key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The draft memo categorises the 41 countries into three groups based on the severity of the proposed restrictions:

• Full Visa Suspension: Ten countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, could face complete visa suspensions.

• Partial Visa Suspension: Five nations, such as Eritrea, Haiti, and Myanmar, may experience restrictions on specific visa categories, including tourist and student visas.

• Conditional Partial Suspension: Twenty-six countries, including the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia, might encounter partial suspensions if they fail to address certain deficiencies identified by U.S. authorities.

The inclusion of the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia in the conditional partial suspension category has raised concerns about potential impacts on tourism and bilateral relations. Both Caribbean nations are popular destinations for American travelers, and any travel restrictions could have significant economic repercussions.

Currently, U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays shorter than 30 days in the Dominican Republic. Similarly, St. Lucia does not mandate visas for U.S. visitors, provided they have a valid passport and proof of onward travel.

The proposed travel restrictions are part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security. The internal memo cites concerns over information-sharing practices, identity-management protocols, and security conditions in the listed countries. The administration aims to mitigate potential threats by imposing these visa restrictions.

It’s important to note that the proposal remains unapproved and is subject to change. The final decision will involve consultations among various government agencies and is expected to consider diplomatic relations, economic impacts, and national security interests.

As the situation develops, travelers and stakeholders are advised to stay informed about potential changes to U.S. travel policies affecting these countries.

For more information, please refer to the original Reuters report.