U.S. State Department Dismisses Reports of ‘Travel Ban Lists’

The U.S. State Department has publicly denied the existence of any travel ban list allegedly targeting 43 countries, including several with Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.

Speaking at a March 17 press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce unequivocally stated:

“There’s no list. What people are looking at over these last several days, there is not a list that exists here that is being acted on.”

Bruce acknowledged that internal security reviews are underway, as part of a broader process initiated by President Trump’s January 20 executive order.

However, she rejected claims that any official list had been created or distributed by the department.

Caribbean Nations Claim for Clarity After Reports Surface

The denial comes in response to media coverage suggesting the existence of a draft travel restriction system. Reports by The New York Times and Reuters claimed that the U.S. was considering a three-tier classification, "red," "orange," and "yellow", for visa policy reviews.

According to the reports, several Caribbean countries with CBI programs, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia, were allegedly listed in the “yellow” category. This would have given them 60 days to address unnamed “deficiencies” before facing potential restrictions.

Concerned by the implications, Caribbean officials have reached out to the U.S. for formal clarification. Antigua’s Ambassador Ronald Sanders stated:

“A review is not a ban,” emphasizing the need for transparency and due process in international travel and diplomatic matters.

While the State Department confirmed no such list is being implemented, it has not ruled out continued internal assessments. Updates are expected once the current review is complete.