Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has reaffirmed that St. Kitts and Nevis remains firmly in control of its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, actively strengthening its regulatory framework while addressing concerns raised by the United States. Speaking on the June edition of The Roundtable, Dr. Drew confirmed that his administration is in continuous dialogue with the US State Department, following productive engagements with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this year.
The remarks come at a time when the United States has stepped up engagement with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, and several other nations with established CBI programmes. This coordinated regional effort seeks to address rising security and transparency concerns linked to the sale of citizenship without residency requirements.
“Our nation remains firm in defending our sovereignty while working closely with our international partners,” said Dr. Drew. “We are fully compliant and continue to enhance our due diligence processes to meet the highest international standards.”
The US government has raised concerns that certain CBI structures may allow individuals to bypass traditional immigration controls, posing risks to national security. These concerns were detailed in a State Department memo, which cited the lack of residency requirements and the potential misuse of economic citizenship to gain access to US borders. While St. Kitts and Nevis was not identified as one of these territories, it also referenced unspecified “anti-American activity” by individuals from countries with CBI programmes.
As part of its response, the US has given four Caribbean nations – including St. Kitts and Nevis – a 60-day deadline, ending next Wednesday, to submit action plans outlining how they intend to enhance their CBI frameworks to meet new US benchmarks.
Despite these developments, Caribbean governments, including St. Kitts and Nevis, have maintained that CBI programmes are vital economic tools, enabling national development through infrastructure investment, job creation, and diversification. They also point to their robust due diligence protocols, which are designed to filter out applicants who pose legal or security risks.
“Not only is our programme secure, but it is also one of the most scrutinised and refined in the world,” Dr. Drew emphasised. “We’ve made it a model of transparency and innovation, and we welcome ongoing dialogue to strengthen these systems even further.”
The US has also expanded its focus beyond the Caribbean, including 25 African nations, several in Central Asia and the Pacific, and other states recently listed in a presidential proclamation expanding travel bans. Full travel restrictions have been imposed on countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea, while others face partial restrictions.
One potential diplomatic pathway for Caribbean nations could involve agreements with the US, such as repatriation arrangements or “safe third country” accords, which would support US immigration policy objectives while avoiding harsher penalties like visa restrictions.
As the deadline nears, the region faces a pivotal moment. How Caribbean governments respond may reshape the global perception and operation of CBI programmes for years to come. For St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Drew’s leadership signals a clear intent: to preserve the economic benefits of its CBI initiative while aligning with evolving global standards.
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp group and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!
Be the first to comment on "Dr. Drew Affirms St. Kitts and Nevis’ Leadership in Strengthening CBI Amid Global Dialogue"