Trump executive order has targeted five countries running citizenship by investment with US travel ban. In response to EO, a “draft list” prepared by State Department, quoted by NY times, in response to Trump EO, has put five nations in yellow list , to clear deficiencies within 60 days or face a US travel ban (full or restricted).
- St.Kitts and Nevis
- Dominica
- St.Lucia
- Antigua and Barbuda
along with Vanuatu (A pacific nation)
Grenada, Turkiye, Nauru, Malta were not named in the list.
The list has not made official by State department and no formal notification sent to countries by Trump Administration so far.
The New York Times reported, countries in the “yellow list” were included for “inadequate security practices for issuing passports, or the selling of citizenship to people from banned countries, which could serve as a loophole around the restrictions.”.
Trump’s EO “Protecting United States from Foreign terrorist, nationality security and public safety threats” of has directed within 60 days, The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence ..
- to identify countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.
- Evaluate all visa programs to ensure that they are not used by foreign nation-states or other hostile actors to harm the security, economic, political, cultural, or other national interests of the United States;
The EO also targets, aliens seeking admission to the United States, or who are already in the United States, are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.
Maximum vetting will be imposed particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks.
The Prime Minister of St.Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed today that no formal or informal communication has been received from the U.S. Government regarding the alleged inclusion of St. Kitts and Nevis on a so-called ‘Yellow’ list.
