Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
NASSAU, Bahamas — Haiti, a Caribbean nation and founding member of CARICOM, is among a dozen countries now facing full travel restrictions to the United States under a sweeping proclamation issued by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The move, which revives and expands the controversial travel ban first introduced during Trump’s initial term, cites national security and immigration risks as justification.
According to the White House, Haiti was added to the list due to high visa overstay rates—over 31% for tourist visas and 25% for student and exchange categories—as well as the country’s ongoing instability. U.S. authorities say Haiti lacks a centralized authority capable of sharing reliable law enforcement or identity data, and the recent surge of Haitian nationals entering the U.S. illegally during the Biden administration has raised additional alarms in Washington.
“Hundreds of thousands of illegal Haitian aliens flooded into the United States during the Biden Administration,” the Proclamation states, linking the influx to public safety and security risks. The administration further argues that Haiti’s inability to manage travel documents and lack of vetting protocols undermines U.S. border control efforts.
President Trump’s order, issued under Executive Order 14161, restricts entry from 12 countries deemed to have failed key vetting and cooperation standards. Alongside Haiti, nations such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia are now subject to full bans. Another seven countries—including Cuba and Venezuela—face partial restrictions.
The renewed travel ban has sparked concern across the region, particularly in Caribbean circles where questions arise over its diplomatic implications. While exceptions exist for certain visa categories and individuals deemed to serve U.S. national interests, the Proclamation sends a strong signal about the administration’s revived hardline stance on immigration and border security.
Trump has declared the move necessary to “keep America safe” and “combat terrorism through common-sense security standards.”
