A local couple who turned up to their appointments at the United States Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, today, January 2, 2026, experienced, firsthand, the chilling effect of Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Sources tell REAL News the couple were hopeful that their appointments for renewing their visitor’s visas would be honoured, since they had been made prior to the December 31, 2025 cut-off date.
However, reports say, although the pair were processed as far as the finger-printing procedure, they were ultimately found to be “ineligible for a nonimmigrant visa” on the grounds cited in the December 16 document from the White House: to “protect the security of the United States.”
Prior to this rejection, the local applicants had received five and three visas, respectively, over the years. However, the letter issued to them by the Consular Office made it clear that “today’s decision cannot be appealed” and that no exceptions would be granted in their cases.
Interestingly, the letter also assures the rejected applicants that they are free to reapply, but the process would have to be started over from scratch and the applicable fees paid again.
It warns, however, that the same prohibition under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act would still apply; that new information not supplied in the original application – and indicating a change in circumstances – would be required; and that such travel would have to be “a critical U.S. national interest.”
Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the United States president broad authority, via Proclamation, to suspend or restrict the entry of any non-citizens whose presence is deemed detrimental to American interests.
Effective January 1, 2026, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, and Dominica became subject to partial restriction of the issuance of several classes of US visas in this latest Proclamation.
The given reason for this country’s inclusion was US concern about its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).
However, local pundits have speculated that other issues may have influenced the White House’s decision, including Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with Venezuela and Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s ongoing feud with the previous owner of the Alfa Nero superyacht over its acquisition and disputed sale.
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A REAL News Report
