Caribbean governments should avoid personalising recent United States visa restrictions and instead recognise them as part of a broader domestic US policy, according to Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders.

In commentary titled “Visa Restrictions and the Cost of Caribbean Disunity” which was published in Caribbean News Global, Sir Ronald said the recent US decision to impose partial visa restrictions and pause the issuance of certain immigrant visas, commonly referred to as green cards, to nationals of 75 countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, had been widely misinterpreted across the region.

“When powerful states act, small states are tempted to personalize the action. When small states fragment, powerful states do not need to explain themselves,” Sir Ronald wrote, arguing that the reaction from parts of the Caribbean revealed regional weakness rather than hostile American intent.

Following the US announcement, opposition parties and political actors in several Caribbean countries suggested the move amounted to sanctions against governments in office. Sir Ronald noted that some governments remained silent, while one appeared pleased that neighbouring countries were named while it was not.

“That reaction revealed more about Caribbean weakness than American intent,” he said, adding that US statements and data showed the measure was not a diplomatic punishment aimed at Caribbean governments.

Sir Ronald stressed that the visa pause was rooted in domestic US concerns, particularly public expenditure and political representation. 

He pointed out that US authorities have cited data showing a significant proportion of immigrant households eventually rely on public assistance, a matter President Donald Trump has addressed directly.

“President Donald Trump has been explicit that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and must not become a burden on American taxpayers,” Sir Ronald said, noting that while the policy can be debated, it is not new or unlawful within US immigration practice.

He also highlighted concerns around overstayers being counted in population figures that influence congressional representation and federal funding, describing the issue as one that goes “to political power and legitimacy” in an increasingly polarised United States.

According to Sir Ronald, these factors explain why the pause applies only to immigrant visas and not to tourist, student or business travel, and why the list of affected countries spans multiple regions worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and much of the Caribbean.

“This is domestic policymaking,” he said.

Sir Ronald pointed to US data indicating that across CARICOM states, a relatively high percentage of immigrant households receive public assistance. 

The figures include Antigua and Barbuda at 41.9 per cent, Dominica at 45.1 per cent, Saint Lucia and Guyana at 41.7 per cent, Belize at 41.8 per cent, Grenada at 40.7 per cent, Saint Kitts and Nevis at 39.1 per cent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 38.1 per cent, Trinidad and Tobago at 37.1 per cent, Jamaica at 36.7 per cent, The Bahamas at 34.0 per cent and Barbados at 33.9 per cent.

Sir Ronald said CARICOM should draw lessons from the episode, cautioning that fragmentation and politicisation weaken the region’s ability to respond coherently to decisions made by larger powers.