The White House announced this week an expansion of the United States travel restrictions, adding Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica to the list of countries facing limits on entry, as part of a policy justified by the administration of President Donald Trump on national security grounds.
According to an official statement, the decision was based on what U.S. authorities described as persistent deficiencies in the affected countries’ systems for traveler screening, identity verification, and information-sharing cooperation with American agencies. The administration argued that these shortcomings pose potential risks to U.S. security and require enhanced controls.
Senior officials explained that the expansion of the travel ban aims to “protect the American population” from possible threats. “It is the duty of the president to take action to ensure that individuals seeking to enter our country do not endanger the American people,” the White House said, emphasizing that the measures were developed following country-specific assessments rather than a blanket approach.
The administration stressed that the restrictions are not intended to constitute a total closure of U.S. borders. Instead, they establish a framework of reinforced vetting procedures tailored to each country’s situation. As part of the policy, the U.S. government outlined several exceptions, including for lawful permanent residents, individuals holding valid visas issued prior to the announcement, and specific categories such as diplomats and professional athletes.
