Saint Lucia, along with Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda, has been placed on a proposed U.S. travel restriction list under United States President Donald Trump. According to The New York Times, these countries fall under the “yellow list,” which means they have 60 days to improve security cooperation or risk facing stricter travel restrictions.
The draft policy categorizes countries into three tiers based on perceived security risks. The “red list” consists of 11 nations—including Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria—whose citizens would face a complete ban on entry to the U.S. The “orange list” includes 10 countries such as Russia, Haiti, and Pakistan, where travelers would face increased vetting and restrictions, particularly for non-business visits.
The “yellow list,” which includes 22 countries, mainly from Africa and the Caribbean, indicates nations that must address security concerns to avoid tighter restrictions. U.S. officials cite deficiencies in traveler information-sharing and weak passport security as primary reasons for the classification.
This move stems from an executive order issued by President Trump on January 20, instructing the U.S. State Department to evaluate countries with “deficient” vetting and screening processes. The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, in collaboration with the Justice and Homeland Security Departments and intelligence agencies, is finalizing a report on these countries, expected to be submitted to the White House next week.
Officials at various U.S. embassies and security agencies are currently reviewing the proposal to determine whether adjustments should be made based on diplomatic and national security considerations. While the final decision has not yet been made, Saint Lucia’s inclusion in the “yellow list” suggests that citizens may face increased scrutiny when applying for U.S. visas if security concerns are not adequately addressed.
The proposal has raised concerns among Caribbean nations regarding its potential impact on travel, business, and diplomatic relations with the United States. Governments in the region are expected to engage with U.S. officials in the coming weeks to clarify the implications and seek possible exemptions before the final policy is implemented.
