Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declined to address the reported denial of U.S. visa renewals to prominent Dominican businessman Gregoire Nassief and his wife, redirecting all questions on the matter to American consular officials.
According to Antigua.news, Skerrit made the remarks during his annual press conference, stating that visa decisions rest solely with the issuing country and fall outside his purview to explain.
"I am not part of the consulate department of the U.S. government," the Prime Minister said. "Reality is there are hundreds if not thousands who have been denied visas not only under Trump but throughout the entire existence of the United States."
Nassief is one of Dominica's most influential business figures. He currently serves as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the leading private-sector body representing hotel and tourism interests across the region. He is also the founder and owner of Secret Bay, an internationally acclaimed luxury resort in Portsmouth that has helped position Dominica as a premier eco-tourism destination.
Reports of the visa denials have prompted discussion both within Dominica and across the broader regional tourism community. Neither U.S. officials nor the Nassiefs have publicly disclosed the reasons behind the decision.
Skerrit stressed that nations routinely exercise their sovereign right to determine who may enter their territory, and that visa refusals are not uncommon. He noted that Dominica itself denies visas to some applicants, including certain Haitian nationals, as an example of standard immigration practice.
"The world needs to get rid of visas completely and go back to the original way of unhindered travel, but because of security concerns there are restrictions," Skerrit said. "I respect the position of the United States. It is not my business to agree or disagree."
The Prime Minister also disclosed that the Dominican government remains in active discussions with Washington over a review of Dominica's standing on a U.S. list of countries facing travel-related scrutiny. Skerrit indicated that American officials have signalled the review is expected to take place this month as dialogue between the two governments continues.
The matter has drawn heightened attention given Nassief's prominent role in Caribbean tourism leadership and his stewardship of the CHTA, an organisation that works alongside governments, international partners and the private sector to advance tourism development throughout the region.
