The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is calling on U.S. lawmakers to amend a proposed immigration bill, arguing that it contains inaccurate information about the twin-island nation’s citizenship programme and mistakenly portrays the country as a potential immigration and security concern.
In a letter to U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, challenged provisions in the proposed Third World Immigration Moratorium Act, which lists Antigua and Barbuda among approximately 40 countries that could face broad U.S. immigration restrictions. Sanders emphasized that while Antigua and Barbuda respects the right of U.S. legislators to propose immigration reforms, such measures should be based on “accurate information and objective facts.”
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A central concern raised by the ambassador involves the bill’s description of Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Sanders said the legislation incorrectly suggests the programme has historically granted citizenship without a residency requirement. He noted that the government has repeatedly informed U.S. authorities that a residency requirement has always been part of the country’s CBI framework and that this position has been formally communicated to Washington on several occasions.
Sanders also pointed to what he described as a drafting error in the proposed legislation, which refers separately to “Antigua” and “Barbuda” as though they were independent countries. He argued that the mistake underscores the importance of ensuring legislation affecting friendly nations is carefully researched and factually accurate. The ambassador further questioned Antigua and Barbuda’s inclusion alongside countries experiencing armed conflict, political instability or high levels of irregular migration, noting that the Caribbean nation is a stable parliamentary democracy with one of the region’s highest per-capita incomes.
Highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries, Sanders said Antigua and Barbuda and the United States have maintained close cooperation in security, law enforcement, tourism, trade, disaster response and investment. He added that Antiguan and Barbudan nationals have a long history of complying with U.S. immigration laws, with visa overstay rates remaining low and the government consistently accepting the return of its citizens who are lawfully deported. He urged U.S. lawmakers to reconsider the country’s inclusion in the proposed legislation and ensure that any future policy decisions are based on verified facts rather than misinformation.
