Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said he is surprised by the recent decision by the United States Government to include Dominica on its latest list of countries facing U.S. entry restrictions. This action was taken under a proclamation signed on Tuesday 16, December 2025, by President Donald Trump.
Skerritt made the statement during a live interview on DBS Radio on Wednesday morning.
The proclamation cites national security and public safety concerns, stating it is U.S. policy “to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security and public safety threats.” It argues that weaknesses in foreign identity-management systems can limit the U.S. government’s ability to properly vet travelers seeking entry.
For the Caribbean, the proclamation affects four countries: Haiti, Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.
“Like everyone else, we were surprised by the actions of the United States. First of all, let me make it clear that we respect the sovereignty of the United States. Like any other nation, it has the right to take whatever decisions it believes may be in its national interest. So we’re not at odds with the United States on this matter,” he said.
He continued, “But certainly we’re surprised by the action, because the reason given by the United States government for this decision is that our program does not have a residency requirement. As you know, the Caribbean countries with CBI programs entered into an agreement and subsequently enacted legislation.”
Skerrit explained that in Dominica’s case, his government enacted the legislation on October 15, 2025, and central to that legislation and agreement is the requirement of residency.
“Now both the agreement and the legislation were thoroughly reviewed by the United States and through the United States Department and, of course, the Treasury Department and our friends at the US Embassy in Barbados,” he further explained. “They were all fully engaged. The US gave us some very important feedback, and they gave their OK on approval to the final draft of both the agreement and the legislation, which was passed.”
He continued, “So the U.S. has been fully engaged in this battle. So for the reason that was given, we were surprised by it because that has been dealt with among other concerns which the United States has had with regards to our CBI programs, including enhanced due diligence, including the name change, and all of those are central to the legislation.”
Furthermore, Skerrit pointed out that from the moment his government heard of the restrictions, the U.S Embassy in Barbados and contacts in the State Department were immediately contacted.
“And everyone indicated to us that they had no formal information on this, that they were surprised by the action, and that they will seek to get information for us to transmit to us on what actions can be taken,” he revealed.
Furthermore, he urged citizens of Dominica not to be too anxious at this moment.
“Allow the government to get the information from the State Department, from the U.S. Embassy, and whatever actions we have to address the concerns of any of the United States, then we’re prepared to do so, as we have done on many occasions with the Six-Point-Plan that they provided to us, and of course with their involvement in the legislation and the agreement which we entered into.”
Skerrit added, “ So the reason given was a bit surprising to us and surprising to everyone we spoke to in the U.S. government. It could very well be a situation of miscommunication between the White House and the other arms of the government in the United States.”
He said the U.S. itself was most engaging and the most supportive with respect to the review of the agreements and the review of the legislation.
“So I will continue to work on this. We will send formal notes to the United States Government today seeking clarification on this matter and urging a review or re-consideration of the decision. And I think if the reason given by the White House is that there is no regency requirement, then that has already been addressed with the support of the United States government,” he reiterated. “So, it could very well be a situation of miscommunication, but I don’t want to speculate at this moment. I think allowing for getting accurate information from the United States government is the first order of business.”
Skerrit noted that when this is done, his government 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, in these moments, one must be calm and focused concerning needs to be done in these circumstances.
“I’ve been on the phone from yesterday, calling all our contacts. As a matter of fact, I met with some U.S. officials last week in New York, and they were very pleased with what we have done, not only in this matter, but other matters that we have been working with the United States government on over the last eight months or so,” he revealed. “ So this was really a surprise to us coming from the White House yesterday.”
Skerrit said he is confident that if that is the reason, then his government should be able to address it.
“And if there are any other reasons that they may have, that they may not have indicated in the proclamation, I’m sure we can negotiate ourselves out of a challenge,” he emphasized. “ But at this stage, I would urge all of us to be calm and not allow our consternation to take over us…”
Meanwhile, he asserted that the CBI Program has been going through its own challenges globally for a number of years.
“This is not anything new. Everybody knows of the importance of the CBI Program to the welfare and well-being of all the countries that are part of the CBI program. I mean, developed countries have engaged in their programs. They have different types of programs, whether it’s residency programs or golden visas, whatever, or residency programs,” he explained. “I mean, when you look at Dominica and its vulnerability to natural disasters and external shocks. I mean, had it not been for the CBI program, we would not have been able to build so many homes for our citizens. Had it not been for the CBI Program, we would not have been able to respond to the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria, and COVID-19. And of course, the number of infrastructure projects, from the hotels to the airports, to our hospitals, to health centers, to roads, to bridges, to schools, that we use the funds for.”
He indicated that these are funds that may not necessarily be secured from international financial institutions.
“And even if you have access to the funds, you always have a limit in how much you can borrow as a country that has been battered by natural disasters and external shocks over the last 12 years,” Skerrit noted. “ And so the CBI Program continues to be an important source, non-source tax revenue for the country. And I think everybody understands that in the world. And I’m hoping that the countries AND the world can understand that if big developed countries can have such programs, then it is quite obvious why small countries like ours have it.”
He pointed out that the type of investments that Dominica has been making will allow Dominica, as time goes by, to have less reliance on the CBI Program.
“This is why we’re invested in hotels, this is why we’re investing in providing money to small businesses, this is why we’re investing in accessing countries and building an infrastructure that can allow for more people to come to the country and build our revenue base and expand our revenue base so that we would be earn more through tax revenues and be less reliant on the CBI Program as a source of development of systems and foreign investment.”
How you suprised and I not suprised? Every other week we hearing somebody arrested with a Dominican passport. Plus, these people never spend maybe more than a day in Dominica, so there is no residency as the US said. These people being arrested with our passport, we can do a survey in town and nobody ever seen them…So whats the suprise.
Surprised..Surprised..Surprised…
when the tief was asked to give an account of the CBI funds : ” None of your dam business….”
Sorry we all have to pay for this.
All those who are supporting this evil man.. slowly and gradually, the noose is tightening around his neck and Dominican’s neck too..
The darn DEVIL is a LIAR……Chichi pleaseeee let my people go.
I have read a report on IMI daily that US wanted dominica to make residency for its CBI program in June 2025 , but Mr Skerrit said there is no need to panic . You can check the report at IMI daily website.
St Kitts and Nevis at that time knew what US wanted and made fast decision to bring residency for its CBI program.
Now Dominica is on the ban list and St Kitts is out .
Because of Mr Skerrit poor decisions and not making any actions at the time , all countries will ban Dominica passport , this is a great harm for people who invested in Dominica program and for its citizens.
It brings a bad reputation for its CBI program worldwide and no investor will put money in Dominica in the future.
Exactly this man has the unmitigated gall to say that they complied in October, merely two months ago. Like you think this last minute change is going to affect policy that the white house probably had planned for months now? Dominica to them is some insignificant rock in the caribbean I doubt they even updated their information that we made that change in policy.
BTW this is the same thing that happened with Ross. Decisions and changes made too little too late after the people in charge had already made their decision to leave
This is an extremely lazy and corrupt man who, in all his years as PM has done nothing to create industry and jobs. The tourism industry is created by private individuals – the government does nothing. The agriculture sector continues to be in terminal decline. And what else is there? All he does is take the easy route by selling passports and lining his pockets at the same time. Everyone in Dominica knew from the outset that an opaque, highly questionable CBI program would get the country into trouble and now the pigeons are coming home to roost. Does it affect the MP ? No, he has millions stashed away plus a diplomatic passport. All this and still people vote for him.
What residency requirement? 30 day? That is vacation, not residency. Having such a requirement is like having none at all. The CBI programme should be designed in such a way that these people invest in a business, new or ongoing, for at least a 2-3 period, after which they get citizenship. They would need housing (which they would rent – money to landlords) and services which they pay for like ordinary residents, while creating jobs to the benefit of Dominicans.
The problem with that is that most of the people who buy these passports don’t care about living in or investing in Dominica. They simply what the second passport to increase their mobility and in some cases obscure their country of origin. The investment option for the CBI program is cheaper but I’m willing to bet most opt to just buy the passport outright and never have to even think about Dominica
For all Dominicans the last thing you all want
to hear is a major criminal activity carried out and when they check the person passport it is a Dominican not by birth but by CBI .so try to understand why countrys are taking such strong action .Ask yourself a question is there someting you know who is not telling us ?
Well that already happened didn’t it? Monfared was a major criminal wanted by international organisations and he had a DIPLOMATIC passport. And there were two others as well if I recall correctly. Luckily they didn’t make their way to the U.S. or it wasn’t someone committing some type of terrorist act that resulted in the death of a number of people otherwise we would be blacklisted eternally.
Monday you say you want to be mediator and tuesday trump say no way. He then slap us and say dont come to his country. well well
Dominica is always in the international news for the wrong reasons. Diplomatic relations then cancellation with Syria; A sage haven for the worst international fugitives; selling of the national birds to Germany; destruction and contamination of the country’s pristine environment and one can carry on ad infinitum.
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Dominicans with Roosevelt as Commander In Chief are galloping towards statelessness
So many words to try and defend the indefensible when all along warnings were being given and ignored. Now that the hammer has dropped, all the lies, the lipstick on pigs, and the false claims of doing due diligence have come to fruition. Expect more lies and untruths to be presented to Dominicans as this administration flops around trying to wipe the egg off of their faces. Well boy, what ting!
The PM has not mention Manufacturing and Agriculture( including Agro-processing) as a major investment for the CBI funds….Paramount sustainable revenue drivers for any country looking to grow its economical basin.
What a failure this PM has been for the citizens of Dominica.
I cannot in good faith claim that I am surprised at the C.B.I related restrictions. This decision by the US was inevitable given the amount of chirping that has been taking place on this forum concerning the need for full transparency and revelation by the current administration on this programme.
It is an indisputable fact that all calls for the Prime Minister to expound on the money and money trail of the programme have been summarily disregarded or dismissed with just cursory allusions to what can best be described as some voodoo economics explanations which have literally never added up. Mind you, the call for full revelation has been echoed by both blue and red political supporters.
My sincere wish is that the potential backlash from this fiasco will not result in too much of a hassle and impediment to Domincan travellers.
this KOKOMAYOK has not realized that having the residency clause is all well and good . but how many of the CBI purchasers have actually been to dominica for the length of residency stated?
i bet not 1
you cant just say you including the clause and still handing out passports for money and not telling the purchasers that they have to be on island for a set period of time
seems they forget that passenger travel across borders especially by plane is easily and heavily monitored by governments around the world . so you cant even fake that your claimant was on island
the US authorities are no fools and they are checking and looking and know more than they are letting on
BIDEN is no longer in office where things like that would go under the radar. the us is watching and they know